The political landscape in Britain has undergone a significant shift as Reform UK, the party led by Nigel Farage, has welcomed a wave of defectors from the Conservative Party. The scale of the move has led critics to brand Reform a 'retirement home for disgraced former Conservative ministers', a label that underscores the controversial backgrounds of some who have crossed the floor.
The High-Profile Defectors: From Chancellors to Mayors
The most recent and prominent defection came from Nadhim Zahawi, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr Zahawi, who was sacked as Tory chairman by Rishi Sunak over a serious breach of the ministerial code related to his tax affairs, was unveiled as a Reform member in January 2026. He had previously paid a penalty of nearly £5 million to HMRC.
He follows in the footsteps of the original defector, Lee Anderson, the former Conservative deputy chairman who became Reform's first MP in March 2024 after losing the Tory whip. Other notable former ministers include Nadine Dorries, the ex-Culture Secretary, and Dame Andrea Jenkyns, a Boris Johnson ally who is now a Reform mayor.
Perhaps most significant for parliamentary arithmetic was the defection of Danny Kruger, the sitting MP for East Wiltshire, in September 2025. His move actively increased Reform's numbers in the House of Commons, with him declaring 'The Conservatives are over' at his announcement.
A Growing List of Controversial Figures
The list of defectors extends beyond Westminster, encompassing figures from devolved parliaments and those with chequered histories. Laura Anne Jones became Reform's first member of the Welsh Senedd despite past controversies, including using a racist slur in a WhatsApp chat.
Other former Tory MPs who have joined include Jonathan Gullis, known for heckling about asylum seekers; Anne Marie Morris, who was suspended for using the N-word; and Sir Jake Berry, a former party chairman and ally of both Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.
The defections are not limited to England. In Scotland, former MP Ross Thomson and MSP Graham Simpson have joined, while in Wales, Sarah Atherton has defected with an eye on the 2026 Senedd election.
The full list of 19 defectors confirmed as of January 2026 is:
- Nadhim Zahawi
- Lee Anderson MP
- Dame Andrea Jenkyns
- Nadine Dorries
- Danny Kruger MP
- Laura Anne Jones MS
- Jonathan Gullis
- Sir David Jones
- Sir Jake Berry
- Ross Thomson
- Anne Marie Morris
- Lucy Allan
- Marco Longhi
- Graham Simpson MSP
- Sarah Atherton
- Adam Holloway
- Maria Caulfield
- Lia Nici
- Chris Green
Political Repercussions and a Party 'At Home'
The mass migration of politicians, many of whom left the Conservatives after losing their seats or facing scandals, presents a clear challenge to the Tory party's unity and electoral appeal. The defectors have consistently cited disillusionment with the Conservative direction, with many claiming Reform now best represents their values.
As Manuela Perteghella, the Lib Dem MP for Stratford-on-Avon, succinctly put it, 'Reform is becoming a retirement home for disgraced former Conservative ministers.' This narrative frames the party not just as a political alternative, but as a repository for those whose careers within the traditional Conservative fold have ended in controversy or failure.
With the party polling strongly and now bolstered by experienced, if contentious, parliamentary figures, Reform UK is positioning itself as a serious force in British politics, directly capitalising on the fractures within the right of the political spectrum.
