In a dramatic political shift, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has defected to Reform UK, becoming the party's eighth sitting Member of Parliament. The announcement was made at a Reform UK rally for veterans held in London on Monday, 26 January 2026, where Ms Braverman told attendees she felt like she had 'come home'.
Contradiction with Past Statements
This move directly contradicts a resurfaced video from an October 2024 interview on GB News. In that footage, Ms Braverman explicitly stated she would never join Nigel Farage's party, Reform UK. During the interview, she expressed hope that her Conservative colleagues would not 'drive her out' to Reform, highlighting her previous allegiance to the Tories.
Historical Context and Previous Losses
In the same resurfaced podcast discussion, Ms Braverman lamented the loss of Lee Anderson to Reform UK in March of the previous year. This comment underscores the ongoing tensions within the Conservative Party and the gradual erosion of its parliamentary cohort to rival political factions.
The defection marks a significant moment in British politics, as a high-profile former cabinet minister crosses the floor to a party that has been gaining traction. It raises questions about the future direction of the Conservative Party and the potential for further defections as political allegiances continue to shift in the post-Brexit landscape.
