Robert Jenrick, the former shadow justice secretary, has defected to Nigel Farage's Reform UK, branding the Conservative Party as "rotten" and "failed" after being sacked by leader Kemi Badenoch. The defection, announced at a press conference in Westminster on Thursday, marks the most senior Tory switch to Reform and deepens the divide on the British right.
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, adding, "I can't in good conscience stick with a party that has failed so badly."
Badenoch removed the whip and suspended Jenrick's party membership after finding "irrefutable evidence" of his planned defection. Jenrick admitted he had resolved to leave the Tories by Thursday morning, though he was caught off guard by the timing. Reform leader Nigel Farage called the sacking the "latest Christmas present I've ever had."
Jenrick singled out shadow chancellor Mel Stride and shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel for criticism, accusing Stride of overseeing the welfare bill explosion and Patel of allowing a surge in legal migration. He confirmed discussions with Reform began in September, facilitated by former Tory adviser Tim Montgomerie, but denied any deal was offered.
Farage said that after the 7 May local elections, Reform would reject further Tory defections and begin assigning roles. Jenrick is expected to take on an economic brief, though this may cause tensions with deputy leader Richard Tice and policy head Zia Yusuf. Jenrick confirmed he will not call a byelection in his Newark constituency.
