In a significant political shift, three former Conservative Members of Parliament have crossed the floor to join Nigel Farage's Reform UK, delivering a fresh blow to Rishi Sunak's beleaguered party.
Key Defections Confirmed
A source within Reform UK confirmed to the Press Association on Monday, 1st December 2025, that the three politicians had joined the party "on their own accord online". The defectors are Jonathan Gullis, the former MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, Lia Nici, who represented Great Grimsby, and Chris Green, the former Tory MP for Bolton West.
This marks the first major defection to Reform since sitting MP Danny Kruger left the Conservatives for the rival party in September. The move underscores the ongoing fragmentation on the British right and presents a clear challenge to Conservative unity ahead of the next general election.
A Damning Verdict on the Tories
A Reform party source did not mince words following the announcement, stating: "The Conservative Party is dead. Only Reform can beat Labour at the next election as the polls show time and time again."
This stark assessment reflects the growing confidence within Reform UK, which has positioned itself as the true standard-bearer for centre-right voters disillusioned with the current government. The defection of three former parliamentarians with local constituencies lends the party further credibility and organisational heft.
Implications for the Political Landscape
The loss of these figures is a symbolic and practical setback for the Conservatives. Each former MP brings with them local knowledge and a voter base that the Tories will now have to fight to retain. The defections are likely to intensify the internal debate within the Conservative Party about its direction and strategy.
For Reform UK, the acquisitions are a considerable coup. They signal that the party is moving beyond a protest movement and is actively building a bench of experienced political figures capable of contesting seats nationwide. The central message from Reform is clear: they believe they are now the primary challenger to Labour in many parts of the country, potentially squeezing the Conservative vote.
As the political realignment continues, all eyes will be on whether further defections follow and how the Conservatives plan to stem the tide. With an election looming, the battle for the right-of-centre vote has just become significantly more complex.
