Reform UK has been criticized as a destination for former Conservative ministers who have fallen out of favor, as another ex-Tory MP recently joined the party. Suella Braverman, a former Home Secretary, is the latest addition to Reform UK, bringing the total number of sitting MPs in Nigel Farage’s party to eight. This move follows Nadhim Zahawi’s switch to Reform earlier in January, who had previously likened Nigel Farage to Hitler’s chief propagandist.
In a recent development, Robert Jenrick, a serving MP, announced his decision to join Reform UK after being dismissed by Kemi Badeoch. Badeoch sacked Jenrick over concrete evidence that he was planning to defect, underscoring the ongoing trend of Conservatives moving to Reform UK.
Several notable figures, including Andrea Jenkyns, Nadine Dorries, and Lee Anderson, have also left the Tories to join Reform UK. Manuela Perteghella, a Lib Dem MP, criticized Reform UK as a “retirement home for disgraced former Conservative ministers.”
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s defection to Reform UK on January 26, 2026, marked another sitting MP joining Nigel Farage’s party. Braverman’s controversial views and actions, such as calling homelessness a “lifestyle choice” and making inflammatory remarks about migrants, have long positioned her as a potential defector.
Robert Jenrick’s move to Reform UK on January 15, 2026, highlighted his discontent with the Conservative Party’s approach to issues like illegal migration and national security. In his address, Jenrick criticized the government’s handling of various challenges, signaling a shift towards Reform UK’s platform.
The influx of former Tory members like Nadhim Zahawi, Lee Anderson, and others to Reform UK has seen the party gaining momentum. With individuals like Andrew Rosindell and Jonathan Gullis also defecting, the landscape of UK politics is witnessing significant changes as Reform UK continues to attract disenchanted Conservatives.