Robert Jenrick, the former shadow justice secretary, has defected to Nigel Farage's Reform UK after being sacked by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for plotting against her. In a dramatic press conference alongside Farage, Jenrick denounced the Conservatives as 'rotten' and 'failed', deepening the schism on the British right.
Jenrick, who previously stood for the Tory leadership against Badenoch, said the Conservative party 'isn't sorry, it doesn't get it, it hasn't changed, it won't change, it can't change'. He criticised former colleagues, including shadow chancellor Mel Stride and shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel, for their roles in government failures.
Badenoch removed the Conservative whip and suspended Jenrick's party membership after finding 'irrefutable evidence' of his defection plans. She appointed Nick Timothy as shadow justice secretary. Jenrick admitted he had resolved to defect by Thursday morning, though he had not intended to leave that day.
Farage called the defection the 'latest Christmas present I've ever had' and said Reform would reject further Tory defections after the 7 May local elections. Jenrick is expected to take on a role in the party, potentially as economic spokesperson, though this could cause tensions with other senior figures.
Jenrick confirmed discussions with Reform began in September, facilitated by former Tory adviser Tim Montgomerie. He said he would not call a byelection in his Newark constituency, and that no specific role was offered in exchange for his defection.
