Robert Jenrick's defection to Reform UK has received a mixed reception from the party's grassroots, with some members expressing concern that the influx of former Conservatives could alienate voters. James Scott, a member of a large private Reform Facebook group, wrote: 'Enough already! Reform uk please take note, you are going to lose members and voters if you don’t cap this craziness … We don’t want a Tory party Pt II.' Another member threatened to leave the party if Jenrick joined.
However, the majority of contributors appeared to welcome the move, seeing it as a significant recruitment coup. 'We always wanted Jenrick in the Reform party. He’s a seasoned veteran of parliament,' wrote one member. Paul Rayner, posting on a public group, said: 'Fantastic news !! I am losing count of how many potential great future leaders are now in Reform.'
Among Reform's elected councillors, reactions were more cautious. On Nottinghamshire County Council, where Jenrick is an MP, several councillors declined to comment on the record. Rory Green, a Reform councillor, said: 'I’ve literally been out all day making sure potholes are filled … I know he is very experienced. He is a [lawyer] and has been on cabinet nationally so that’s positive.' Dawn Justice added that Jenrick was 'well liked'.
Maxwell Harrison, a senior Reform councillor in Kent, hailed the defection as 'a massive moment in our movement’s history', though some comments on his Facebook post expressed concern about the number of Tories joining. Zia Yusuf, Reform's head of policy, had previously sought to reassure grassroots members that they would be prioritised over 'failed former Tory MPs' in candidate selection, a statement that may now face a test given Jenrick's arrival.
Tensions between Jenrick and Yusuf could complicate matters. Last year, Jenrick called for Yusuf to be sacked after accusing him of liking an X post from an anonymous account that attacked Jenrick for having a Jewish wife and family. While Jenrick and Nigel Farage have brushed aside their past criticisms of each other, the relationship with Yusuf may prove harder to mend.
