Robert Jenrick, the former shadow justice secretary, has defected to Reform UK, branding the Conservatives a 'rotten' and 'failed' party after being sacked by leader Kemi Badenoch. The move, which took place on Thursday, marks the most senior Tory defection to Nigel Farage's party and deepens the schism on the British right.
Jenrick appeared alongside Farage at a hastily arranged press conference in Westminster, where he launched a scathing attack on his former colleagues. 'Both Labour and the Conservatives broke Britain,' he said. 'Both parties are committed to a set of ideas that have failed Britain.' He singled out shadow chancellor Mel Stride and shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel for criticism over welfare and migration policies.
Badenoch had earlier removed the Conservative whip and suspended Jenrick's party membership, 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.
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 within the party, potentially as economic spokesperson, though this could cause tensions with deputy leader Richard Tice and policy head Zia Yusuf.
Jenrick confirmed he would not call a byelection in his Newark constituency. The defection has been met with criticism from Conservative figures, who view it as a dangerous move that undermines the party's ability to challenge Labour.
