Shadow minister Danny Kruger has defected to Nigel Farage's Reform UK, becoming the third Conservative MP to join the insurgent party. At a Westminster press conference, Kruger declared the Conservative Party 'over' and expressed hope that Farage would become the next prime minister.
Kruger, the son of Bake Off host Prue Leith, is a former leadership campaign manager for Robert Jenrick and a prominent right-winger. His defection has sparked fears of further exits, with speculation swirling around figures such as Suella Braverman, Lord Frost, and Jenrick himself.
One Tory source described Kruger as a 'significant loss' due to his extensive connections, warning of potential 'panic' among MPs. However, another MP dismissed the defection, saying Reform was proving 'a very effective laxative for the Tory Party'.
Kruger criticised the Conservatives for 'stasis and drift' under leader Kemi Badenoch, who dismissed the defection as inevitable while trying to reshape the party after last year's election defeat. Reform now has five MPs, matching its post-election tally.
Farage has ruled out welcoming Boris Johnson or Liz Truss into Reform, but hinted that more Tory defections are likely. Kruger will help prepare Reform for government if it defeats Labour at the next election.
