Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has dramatically sacked former shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, accusing him of plotting a secret defection designed to inflict maximum damage on the party.
The Jenrick Sacking and Farage's Denial
In a statement posted on social media platform X on Thursday 15 January 2026, Mrs Badenoch announced she had removed Mr Jenrick from the shadow cabinet, withdrawn the party whip, and suspended his membership with immediate effect. She cited "clear, irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect" in a manner intended to harm his colleagues and the wider Conservative Party.
The move has fuelled intense speculation that Mr Jenrick, who has harboured leadership ambitions since his unsuccessful bid for the party's top job in 2024, was poised to join Nigel Farage's Reform UK. However, speaking at a press conference in Scotland, Mr Farage denied any imminent unveiling. "I can confirm, hand on heart, honestly, look you in the eye, I was not going to be unveiling Robert Jenrick at 4.30pm this afternoon," he stated, suggesting Mrs Badenoch had "added two and two and made five."
The Growing List of Tory Defectors to Reform
If Mr Jenrick were to defect, he would join a significant and growing roster of former Conservative politicians who have crossed the floor to Reform UK over the past two years. This trend represents a major challenge to the Tories' unity and electoral prospects.
The prominent defectors include:
- Nadhim Zahawi: The former Chancellor made the switch in January 2026, becoming the highest-profile defector to date. He publicly declared that Britain "really does need Nigel Farage as prime minister."
- Lee Anderson: The MP for Ashfield defected in March 2024 and is now Reform's Chief Whip, retaining his seat in the 2024 general election.
- Nadine Dorries: After 25 years as a Conservative, the former Culture Secretary joined Reform in September 2025.
- Danny Kruger: The MP for Devizes defected in September 2025, stating his "tragic conclusion" was that "the Conservative Party is over."
Other notable figures who have made the switch include former ministers David Jones, Andrea Jenkyns, Jake Berry, and Anne Marie Morris, as well as ex-MPs Jonathan Gullis, Lucy Allan, Marco Longhi, Ross Thomson, Chris Green, Lia Nici, and Ben Bradley.
Political Repercussions and Scottish Elections
The sacking and defection rumours come at a critical political juncture. Mr Farage was speaking in Scotland where he appointed former Tory minister Malcolm Offord, who defected last month, as Reform's new Scottish leader. This move is a clear attempt to bolster the party's appeal ahead of the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections.
The steady flow of defections underscores a deep-seated disillusionment within the Conservative ranks. Many departing MPs have cited a loss of trust in the party's direction and a belief that Reform UK now better represents their views and those of disaffected voters. For the Conservative leadership under Kemi Badenoch, stemming this tide and maintaining party discipline has become an urgent and formidable task.
