A dramatic Conservative civil war has exploded into public view as former Prime Minister Theresa May launched a blistering attack on colleagues defecting to Reform UK, while Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch broke ranks with a stark warning about the party's current direction.
May's Fiery Condemnation
In her most significant political intervention since leaving Downing Street, Mrs May used a speech in her Maidenhead constituency to deliver a devastating critique of those abandoning the Conservative Party. The former PM accused defectors of "giving up on the Conservative Party and giving up on the country" in remarkably blunt language that exposed the deepening fractures within Tory ranks.
Her comments came as Lee Anderson, the former Conservative deputy chairman, became the latest high-profile MP to defect to Reform UK, following former immigration minister Robert Jenrick's departure earlier this week.
Badenoch's Warning Shot
In a separate development that underscores the party's internal divisions, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch issued her own warning about the Conservatives' trajectory. The senior cabinet minister suggested the party had "stopped talking about the things people care about" and risked losing touch with its core voters.
Mrs Badenoch's intervention is particularly significant given her status as a frontrunner in any future Conservative leadership contest and her reputation as a standard-bearer for the party's right wing.
Defection Crisis Deepens
The Conservative Party now faces an existential threat from Reform UK, which has successfully poached several prominent figures in recent weeks:
- Lee Anderson, former Conservative deputy chairman
- Robert Jenrick, former immigration minister
- Several other MPs and senior councillors
This exodus represents the most serious challenge to Conservative unity since the Brexit wars, with Reform UK positioning itself as the true home for right-wing voters dissatisfied with Rishi Sunak's leadership.
Battle for the Soul of Conservatism
The simultaneous interventions from May and Badenoch highlight the competing visions tearing the Conservative Party apart. While Mrs May represents the traditional One Nation wing of the party, Mrs Badenoch's comments reflect growing discontent among those who believe the government has moved too far to the centre.
With a general election looming, these internal battles threaten to derail Rishi Sunak's attempts to present a united front to voters. The Prime Minister now faces the formidable challenge of holding together a party that appears to be fracturing before the public's eyes.
