In a significant blow to the Conservative Party, former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has defected to Nigel Farage's Reform UK. His move on Monday marks one of the most high-profile crossings yet, as he joins a lengthening roster of former Tory MPs who have switched allegiance to the insurgent party.
Zahawi's Dramatic U-Turn
Mr Zahawi, who served as Chancellor under Boris Johnson in 2022, made the announcement at a press conference alongside Nigel Farage. This represents a stark reversal from his declaration over a decade ago on social media platform X, where he stated he had "been a Conservative all my life and will die a Conservative." He told reporters, "I've made my mind that the team that will deliver for this nation will be the team that Nigel will put together, and that's why I've decided that I'm joining Reform UK."
His defection follows his sacking as Conservative Party chairman in 2023 after an investigation found he had breached the ministerial code over his tax affairs. He later settled the matter with HMRC, paying a penalty of nearly £5 million.
Conservative Backlash and Growing Defector List
A Conservative spokesperson responded sharply to the news, branding Reform UK as "the party of has-been politicians looking for their next gravy train." Despite this dismissal, the defection trend appears to be gaining momentum.
Mr Zahawi is now part of a notable group of former Conservatives who have joined Reform UK in the past two years. The list includes several MPs who lost their seats in the 2024 general election, as well as some who defected while still in Parliament.
Key Defectors to Reform UK
Lee Anderson: The Ashfield MP defected in March 2024, becoming the party's Chief Whip and retaining his seat for Reform in the 2024 election.
Nadine Dorries: After 25 years as a Tory, the former Culture Secretary left for Reform in September 2025.
Danny Kruger: The former Devizes MP made a high-profile switch in September 2025, declaring "the Conservative Party is over."
Sir Jake Berry: The former Tory Party Chairman and MP for Rossendale and Darwen defected in July 2025.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns: The former Morley and Outwood MP joined Reform in November 2024 and is now Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire.
Other significant defections include former ministers David Jones and Anne Marie Morris, alongside backbenchers Jonathan Gullis, Lucy Allan, Marco Longhi, Ross Thomson, Chris Green, and Lia Nici.
A Shifting Political Landscape
The steady stream of defections underscores a period of profound realignment in British politics. Many of those crossing the floor cite disillusionment with the direction of the Conservative Party and a belief that Reform UK now better represents their views and those of their constituents. With a general election anticipated in 2025, the defection of a figure of Zahawi's stature is likely to intensify the pressure on the Tories and bolster Reform's claim to be a serious political force.
