Senior Conservative Michael Gove has issued a stark warning to Robert Jenrick, stating his dramatic defection to Reform UK will leave a lasting stain of "treachery" on his political reputation. Drawing a direct parallel with his own notorious actions in 2016, Gove suggested Jenrick will now be viewed by voters as a Tory traitor.
Gove's 'Cautionary Tale' of Betrayal
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Friday 16 January 2026, the former cabinet minister presented himself as a "cautionary tale". He reflected on his pivotal role in the 2016 Tory leadership contest, where he first backed Boris Johnson's campaign only to suddenly withdraw support and announce his own candidacy, effectively sabotaging Johnson's bid.
"Irrespective of what I have done in government the most striking moment in my career was in 2016," Gove stated. "In the eyes of most people at the time, and continuing to this day, it didn't matter what my reasons were: the overall impression was of treachery." He asserted that Jenrick's scathing attack on his former party in his resignation would inflict similar, enduring damage.
Reform Risks Becoming Political 'Slytherin House'
Gove also turned his fire on Reform UK, suggesting the circumstances of Jenrick's defection risked painting the party in a sinister light. He compared the emerging perception of Nigel Farage's party to Slytherin House from the Harry Potter series, a faction often associated with dark arts and intrigue.
"There's a risk that rather than seeming as a fresh force determined to clean up politics, they look rather more like Slytherin house, they look rather more like the home of those that are the intriguers," Gove warned. This comment followed the defection of Nadhim Zahawi earlier in the week and reports that a mole in Jenrick's team had leaked his resignation plans, creating an impression he was "caught mid-plot".
Leadership Ambitions Thwarted, Says Gove
The veteran minister offered a theory for Jenrick's timing, linking it directly to the solidified position of Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. Jenrick, who came second to Badenoch in the 2024 leadership race, had long been speculated as a potential challenger.
"If Rob thought he had a chance of becoming leader because the local elections (in May) or other events would undermine Kemi, I think he would have stayed," Gove analysed. "His conclusion was that Kemi was in a stronger position and, emphatically because of the way she handled this, she is." Badenoch moved swiftly on Thursday, sacking Jenrick from the shadow cabinet and suspending his party membership.
The defection has provided ammunition to political opponents, with Labour leader Keir Starmer branding the Conservatives a "sinking ship". As the fallout continues, Gove's intervention frames Jenrick's move not just as a political shift, but as a personal reputational gamble with profound historical echoes.
