Robert Jenrick, the former shadow justice secretary, defected to Reform UK on Thursday, delivering a blistering attack on the Conservative Party as 'rotten' and 'failed' after being sacked by leader Kemi Badenoch. The defection, the most senior Tory switch to Reform, deepens the right-wing schism as Badenoch struggles to maintain party unity.
Jenrick, who lost the Tory leadership contest to 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 accused both Labour and the Conservatives of breaking Britain, stating, 'Both parties are committed to a set of ideas that have failed Britain.'
Badenoch removed the whip and suspended Jenrick's party membership after claiming 'irrefutable evidence' of his planned defection. Reform leader Nigel Farage called it the 'latest Christmas present I've ever had', though Jenrick admitted he had resolved to leave the Tories that morning anyway.
Jenrick singled out shadow chancellor Mel Stride and shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel for criticism, blaming Stride for welfare bill increases and Patel for legal migration surges. He confirmed discussions with Reform began in September, facilitated by former Tory adviser Tim Montgomerie, but denied any deal was offered.
Farage said after the 7 May local elections, Reform would reject further Tory defectors. Jenrick is expected to take on an economic role, though this may cause tensions with deputy leader Richard Tice and policy head Zia Yusuf.
