Robert Jenrick dramatically defected to Nigel Farage's Reform UK on Thursday, branding the Conservatives 'rotten' and 'failed' after being sacked by party leader Kemi Badenoch. The former shadow justice secretary, who stood against Badenoch for the Tory leadership, became the most senior Conservative to switch allegiance to Reform, deepening the schism on the right of British politics.
Speaking at a hastily arranged press conference with Farage in Westminster, Jenrick launched a fiery denunciation of his former colleagues. 'The Conservative party in Westminster isn't sorry, it doesn't get it, it hasn't changed, it won't change, it can't change,' he said. 'I can't in good conscience stick with a party that has failed so badly.'
Badenoch removed the whip and suspended Jenrick's party membership earlier in the day, claiming 'irrefutable evidence' of his planned defection. Jenrick admitted he had resolved to leave by that morning, though the sacking accelerated his departure. He singled out shadow chancellor Mel Stride and shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel for criticism, accusing them of overseeing failures on welfare and migration.
Farage described Jenrick's defection as 'the latest Christmas present I've ever had' and said Reform would now allocate key roles. Jenrick is understood to have discussed economic policy with Farage, though any appointment as economic spokesperson could cause tensions with deputy leader Richard Tice and policy head Zia Yusuf. Jenrick confirmed he will not call a byelection in his Newark constituency.
