In a dramatic political reversal, former Conservative Party deputy chairman Jonathan Gullis has crossed the floor to join Nigel Farage's Reform UK. His defection was officially confirmed on Monday, 1 December 2025.
A Stark Contrast to Past Promises
The move is thrown into sharp relief by a newly resurfaced video clip from 13 March 2024. In that footage, Gullis reacted to fellow Tory MP Lee Anderson's own defection to Reform. With clear conviction, Gullis stated there was "not a cat's chance in hell" of him ever making the same move.
In that same 2024 interview, he argued that it required "courage and conviction to sometimes stay within something like a political party", framing loyalty as a virtue. This past commentary makes his current decision a significant personal and political U-turn.
Reasons Behind the Defection
Announcing his departure from the Conservatives, Gullis delivered a pointed critique of his former party. He stated his primary reason for leaving was a belief that the Conservative Party has "lost touch with the people it was meant to serve".
This language suggests a fundamental breakdown in the relationship between the party and its voter base, at least in Gullis's view. His defection follows a pattern of right-wing Conservatives seeking a new political home they perceive as more aligned with their principles and the public mood.
Implications for Westminster
Gullis's move is another blow to the Conservative Party's stability and represents a coup for Reform UK. It grants Nigel Farage's party increased parliamentary presence and media attention, reinforcing its challenge to the Tories on the right of British politics.
The resurfaced clip from 2024 will undoubtedly fuel accusations of political hypocrisy and opportunism from his critics. For voters and commentators, it highlights the volatile and unpredictable nature of the current political landscape, where past assurances can quickly become obsolete.
This defection raises further questions about unity within the Conservative ranks and whether more MPs might consider a similar jump before the next general election.
