In a dramatic day at Westminster, former Conservative frontbencher Robert Jenrick has crossed the floor to join Nigel Farage's Reform UK. The move came hours after he was sacked from the shadow cabinet and suspended from the Conservative Party by leader Kemi Badenoch.
A Swift Sacking and Sudden Defection
Robert Jenrick was removed from his role as shadow justice secretary and had the Conservative whip withdrawn on Thursday morning. The decisive action was taken by party leader Kemi Badenoch, who stated she had uncovered "irrefutable evidence" that he was plotting to leave the Tories. Jenrick's party membership was simultaneously suspended.
By the afternoon, Jenrick had confirmed the speculation at a hastily arranged press conference in Westminster alongside Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. The speed of events appeared to surprise both Farage and Jenrick, with Badenoch's pre-emptive strike catching them off guard.
Evidence of a Planned Exit
According to Westminster sources, Badenoch's team had been monitoring Jenrick's activities for some time due to suspicions he was working to undermine the party. They believed his jump to Reform was imminent. The catalyst for the sacking was the discovery of a draft resignation speech, parts of which were later released by Conservative Campaign Headquarters.
Speaking to Sky News, Badenoch accused Jenrick of planning to "torch the Conservative party by putting out comments and allegations that would have been very, very bad." Earlier on Thursday, Jenrick had posted a cryptic message on social media platform X stating, "It's time for the truth," just before the news broke.
Political Repercussions and Reactions
The defection marks a significant coup for Reform UK, which gains a high-profile former Tory leadership contender and minister. For the Conservatives, it represents a painful loss of a senior figure and underscores the ongoing internal tensions within the party. Notably, Farage had publicly denied any imminent defection plans earlier the same day, though he admitted to having held conversations with Jenrick.
This move is set to intensify the political battle on the right of British politics, with Reform UK aiming to draw support from disaffected Conservative voters. Jenrick's defection is one of the most prominent since the last general election and signals a deepening rift within the centre-right electorate.
