Robert Jenrick has defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, delivering a significant blow to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. The former shadow justice secretary announced his decision on Thursday, citing frustration with the Conservative Party's direction. In his first interview since the move, Jenrick told BBC News that he hopes his defection will 'unite the right' and urged right-wing voters to rally behind Nigel Farage to remove the Labour government.
Jenrick described those who 'tanked the reputation of the Conservatives' as still being in charge of the party, and defended his own record in government, saying he 'worked like crazy' to reduce immigration. He warned that if right-wing voters do not back Reform, they could end up with Keir Starmer as prime minister or a coalition involving the Greens and Liberal Democrats.
Badenoch responded sharply, telling GB News that Farage was 'doing my spring cleaning for me' by taking away her 'problems.' She described Jenrick as 'not a team player' and claimed the Conservative Party is now 'even more united and stronger' without him. Labour chairwoman Anna Turley called Jenrick 'one of the arsonists who inflicted chaos and decline on Britain,' echoing past comments by Farage himself.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey also criticised Jenrick, saying he 'helped wreck the NHS' while serving as a health minister. The defection has received a mixed reception from Reform members, with some expressing enthusiasm and others scepticism. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage faced embarrassment after a prank video on Cameo saw him pay tribute to a convicted child sexual abuse offender.
