In a seismic shock to the Conservative Party, former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has crossed the floor to join Nigel Farage's right-wing outfit, Reform UK. The defection marks a significant political coup for Reform and a damaging setback for Tory leader Kemi Badenoch.
From Cabinet to Controversy: The Tax Row That Led to a Sacking
The dramatic move follows Mr Zahawi's high-profile dismissal from government in 2023. He was sacked by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for what was described as a "serious breach" of the ministerial code.
The controversy centred on his personal tax affairs. It emerged that while serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the summer of 2022, Zahawi had settled a multi-million pound tax dispute with HMRC. The settlement included payment of a substantial penalty, raising serious questions about his conduct while in one of the nation's highest financial offices.
A Public Declaration and a Political Earthquake
Mr Zahawi made his new allegiance official at a press conference, confirming his membership of Reform UK. His decision to defect is seen as one of the most significant in recent British politics, given his previous stature as a senior cabinet minister and former party chairman.
The move is interpreted as a direct challenge to the current Conservative leadership under Kemi Badenoch. It signals deep discontent within the right wing of the party and provides Reform UK with a major figurehead who possesses extensive ministerial experience.
Implications for the Conservative Party and the Next Election
This defection represents more than just the loss of a single MP. It is a symbolic and practical blow that threatens to siphon off traditional Conservative voters. Reform UK, under Nigel Farage's influential stewardship, has positioned itself as the true home for disaffected voters on the right, and Zahawi's arrival lends the party considerable credibility.
The event underscores the ongoing turmoil within the Conservative Party as it struggles to present a united front ahead of the next general election. With a seasoned operator like Zahawi now campaigning for the opposition, the political battlefield has been dramatically reshaped.
All eyes will now be on the Conservative response and whether further defections or internal rebellions will follow in the wake of this major political earthquake.
