Westminster is braced for a major political defection as former Conservative minister Robert Jenrick is expected to join Nigel Farage's Reform UK. The move comes after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch sensationally sacked Mr Jenrick from his role as Shadow Justice Secretary, claiming she had uncovered "irrefutable" evidence he was plotting to cross the floor.
A History of Public Hostility
If the defection proceeds, it will force Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to confront years of his own scathing criticism aimed at Mr Jenrick. The longstanding toxic beef between the two figures centres primarily on immigration policy and political authenticity.
Mr Jenrick served as Immigration Minister under Suella Braverman, during which time the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels soared to a peak of 56,000 people. In 2022, he publicly stated: "More hotels have been coming online almost every month throughout the whole year. What I have done is procure even more."
Sharing this quote in August 2025, Nigel Farage launched a direct attack, writing on social media: "Jenrick is a fraud. I’ve always thought so, this quote proves it." He later criticised Mr Jenrick's intervention in local tensions in Epping over an asylum hotel, stating the former minister was "no friend of Epping."
From Centrist to 'Hardliner'
The friction is compounded by Mr Jenrick's political evolution. Initially a Tory centrist who voted against Brexit, he shifted markedly to the right during his time at the Home Office. When Mr Jenrick challenged for the Conservative leadership in 2024, Mr Farage dismissed this conversion.
"Formerly a man that believed in nothing, Robert Jenrick now pitches himself as the great hardliner," Mr Farage said at the time. "This is almost certainly done for political gain and not out of conviction. He will divide the party. I doubt that Jenrick will last long if he wins."
Talks Confirmed Amid Awkward Questions
Despite this history, the political landscape appears to be shifting. Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh on 15 January 2026, following Mr Jenrick's sacking, Nigel Farage confirmed contact between them. "Of course, I’ve spoken to Robert Jenrick," he stated.
He clarified that no deal was immediately imminent, saying: "Was I on the verge of signing a document with him? No. But have we had conversations? Yes." In a conciliatory tone, the Reform leader added, "I'll give him a ring this afternoon. I might even buy him a pint."
The potential recruitment has already caused internal friction within Reform. Last week, the party's London mayoral candidate, Laila Cunningham, expressed she had "no desire to see him" join, criticising his record on asylum hotels.
Mr Jenrick's brief response to past attacks was simply: "You're rattled." As he stands on the brink of a dramatic party switch, all eyes are now on whether this bitter feud can be set aside for political advantage, or if the past accusations of fraudulence will haunt the new alliance.
