Cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch is confronting a mounting Conservative crisis as senior Tory MPs openly threaten to defect to Reform UK, exposing deep fractures within the party ahead of the looming general election.
Rebellion Brews in Tory Ranks
The Business Secretary faced direct confrontation from veteran Conservative backbencher Bob Blackman, who warned that numerous Tory colleagues are seriously considering jumping ship to Nigel Farage's Reform UK. The startling revelation came during a private meeting of the influential Northern Research Group of Conservative MPs.
Blackman's intervention highlights the growing desperation within Tory ranks as the party trails significantly in opinion polls, with some MPs fearing electoral annihilation in their constituencies.
"We're Getting Absolutely Nowhere"
According to sources present at the meeting, Blackman delivered a blunt assessment to Ms Badenoch, stating: "We're getting absolutely nowhere. I've got colleagues who are now considering joining Reform. What are you going to do about it?"
The Harrow East MP's stark warning underscores the existential threat Reform UK poses to Conservative prospects, particularly in crucial Red Wall seats that delivered Boris Johnson's 2019 majority.
Badenoch's Damage Control Mission
Ms Badenoch, widely seen as a future leadership contender, attempted to reassure colleagues that the government had a clear plan to close the polling gap with Labour. However, her efforts appear to have done little to calm nerves among backbenchers facing tough re-election battles.
The Business Secretary emphasised the government's focus on key policy areas including:
- Accelerating economic growth initiatives
- Implementing stricter immigration controls
- Delivering on post-Brexit regulatory reforms
Defection Threats Signal Deeper Malaise
This isn't the first defection scare to hit the Conservatives. In December, former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson openly admitted he had seriously contemplated joining Reform UK, citing frustration with the government's direction on immigration and other core conservative issues.
The repeated threats of high-profile defections suggest a party struggling to maintain unity amid internal divisions over policy direction and leadership strategy.
Electoral Consequences Loom Large
Political analysts warn that even a handful of Conservative defections to Reform UK could prove devastating at the ballot box. The presence of a strong Reform candidate in marginal constituencies risks splitting the right-wing vote, potentially handing victory to Labour or Liberal Democrat candidates.
With Rishi Sunak's party consistently trailing Labour by approximately 20 points in most opinion polls, the defection threats represent another significant headache for the Prime Minister as he attempts to stabilise his party ahead of the expected autumn election.
