British politics has experienced a seismic shift this week with the high-profile defection of former Conservative minister Robert Jenrick to Reform UK. Party leader Nigel Farage has declared the move a historic realignment, arguing it signals the end of the Conservative Party's viability and positions Reform as the new home for centre-right voters.
A Defining Moment for the Right
In a stark assessment, Farage stated he believes future historians will view Jenrick's decision as the pivotal moment when the British centre-right fundamentally realigned. He contends that Reform UK has now become the principal political force for conservative-minded people across the nation, while the Conservative Party under Kemi Badenoch is dwindling towards oblivion.
"The vast majority of senior Tories do not believe that Britain is broken," Farage said, echoing Jenrick's comments from their joint press conference. "They think we should just simply muddle along... and our country should continue its inexorable slide to becoming a place where nothing works any more."
The Case Against the Conservative Record
Farage launched a scathing attack on the Conservative Party's 14-year record in government, accusing them of abandoning their core principles. He highlighted a series of policy failures that he argues have betrayed traditional Tory voters.
Net migration soared to record levels despite repeated promises to control it, he noted. The benefits system ballooned instead of being reformed, and taxes have reached their highest sustained level since the Second World War. Farage also criticised Conservative decisions to abolish the non-dom tax regime and impose windfall taxes on North Sea energy firms, policies he claims drive wealth and investment overseas.
"The Conservative Party have brought this disaster upon themselves," Farage asserted, directly addressing traditional Tory supporters. "They don't deserve your loyalty."
The Reform UK Ultimatum and May's Local Elections
Positioning the upcoming local elections on May 7 as a critical test, Farage issued a stark ultimatum to current and former Conservative politicians. Reform UK will contest every available council seat and is building a team to "fix broken Britain," with plans to tackle law and order, the cost of living, and migration.
"If you want to come and join us, you have until May 7," Farage declared. "After that, we won't need you, and we won't want you. Because, make no mistake, the turquoise tsunami is coming either way."
He predicted the Conservatives will be "obliterated" in the local elections and will cease to be a national party by the morning of May 8. Farage pointed to Reform UK's growing paid-up membership, which now stands at 271,000, contrasting it with a Conservative membership he claims has slumped to less than half that figure.
With Jenrick's move, following that of Nadhim Zahawi, Reform UK now has six MPs in the House of Commons: Nigel Farage, Richard Tice, Lee Anderson, Sarah Pochin, Danny Kruger, and Robert Jenrick.
