Robert Jenrick, the former shadow justice secretary, defected to Reform UK on Thursday, branding the Conservatives a "rotten" and "failed" party after being sacked by leader Kemi Badenoch. The move, announced alongside Reform leader Nigel Farage in Westminster, marks the most senior Tory defection to the insurgent party and deepens the divide on the British right.
Jenrick, who lost to Badenoch in the Conservative leadership contest, said the party "isn't sorry, it doesn't get it, it hasn't changed, it won't change, it can't change." He accused both Labour and the Tories of breaking Britain, adding: "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, citing "irrefutable evidence" of his planned defection. Jenrick admitted he had resolved to leave the party by that morning, though he said discussions with Reform had begun in September, facilitated by former Tory adviser Tim Montgomerie.
In a blistering speech, Jenrick singled out shadow chancellor Mel Stride and shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel for criticism, blaming them for rising welfare costs and legal migration during their time in government. He also confirmed he would not call a by-election in his Newark constituency.
Farage described the defection as the "latest Christmas present" and said that after the 7 May local elections, Reform would reject further Tory defectors. Jenrick is expected to take on a role in economic policy, though this could cause tensions with other senior Reform figures.
