Robert Jenrick, the former shadow justice secretary, defected to Nigel Farage's Reform UK on Thursday, branding the Conservative Party 'rotten' and 'failed' after being sacked by leader Kemi Badenoch for allegedly plotting against her. The defection marks the most senior Tory switch to Reform, deepening the right-wing political schism.
Jenrick, who stood against Badenoch for the party leadership, said the Conservatives '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 overseeing welfare and migration failures.
Badenoch removed the whip and suspended Jenrick's membership after finding 'irrefutable evidence' of his planned defection. Jenrick admitted he had resolved to leave by Thursday morning, though discussions with Reform began in September, facilitated by former Tory adviser Tim Montgomerie.
Farage called the defection the 'latest Christmas present' and said after May's local elections, Reform would reject further Tory defectors. Jenrick will not call a by-election in his Newark constituency, and discussions about his role in Reform are ongoing, potentially as economic spokesperson.
