Robert Jenrick's High-Profile Defection to Reform UK
Former Conservative minister Robert Jenrick has announced his defection to Reform UK, becoming the most prominent political figure to leave the Conservative Party for Reform UK to date. His departure followed his removal from a shadow cabinet position and suspension from the Conservative Party, with party leader Kemi Badenoch alleging Jenrick planned to defect. Jenrick cited frustration with Conservative policies and direction as reasons for his move. This defection is part of a broader trend, with former Conservative MP Suella Braverman and other members also recently joining Reform UK.
Jenrick's Departure: Allegations and Timeline
Robert Jenrick's defection to Reform UK was formally announced following his removal from the Conservative shadow cabinet and suspension from the party. The Conservative leadership, specifically party leader Kemi Badenoch, stated that Jenrick had been:
"on defection watch" for several months.
According to Conservative sources, Jenrick had reportedly engaged in private discussions with Reform UK figures, including Nigel Farage, for approximately four months.
On Wednesday, a draft of Jenrick's confidential defection speech, which reportedly included criticisms of shadow cabinet ministers, was leaked from his Commons office to the Conservative leadership. Kemi Badenoch was informed of the leak and subsequently recorded a video announcing Jenrick's removal from his shadow cabinet role and his suspension from the Conservative Party.
On Thursday morning, Jenrick received a call from Tory chief whip Rebecca Harris informing him of the party's findings, after which he confirmed his move to Reform UK with Nigel Farage. Jenrick's allies reported he felt "liberated" by the decision.
Some Conservatives accused Jenrick of misleading colleagues about his intentions, claiming he denied plans to defect just prior to the announcement. Jenrick responded that he made his final decision to leave the Conservative Party at Christmas.
Reasons Behind the Move
Jenrick cited several factors for his departure from the Conservative Party:
- Growing frustration within the party.
- Reports of admonishments for speaking out on issues such as grooming gangs and the decision to grant citizenship to Alaa Abd El Fattah.
- A disagreement at a shadow cabinet away-day regarding whether Britain was "broken" was also cited as a contributing factor.
- His experience as immigration minister, a non-cabinet role under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, led him to perceive the immigration system as dysfunctional.
- He resigned from Sunak's government over concerns that policies on illegal immigration were insufficient and adopted more right-leaning positions on other issues.
Jenrick stated a desire for a more assertive political stance than his former colleagues were willing to adopt and expressed a belief that the country's problems require more radical solutions than traditional major parties are prepared to consider. He asserted that Reform UK could offer a credible alternative.
Kemi Badenoch, however, contended that Jenrick's defection was motivated by:
"ambition," not "principle,"
noting that his current criticisms were relevant during his tenure in government.
Jenrick's Political Journey and Past Conflicts
Elected in a 2014 by-election, Jenrick initially aligned with the Conservative mainstream, voting Remain in the EU referendum. His endorsement of Boris Johnson's 2019 leadership campaign, alongside Rishi Sunak and Oliver Dowden, was seen by some as indicating a shift in momentum among mainstream Conservative figures. He served as housing secretary in Johnson's first cabinet and later as immigration minister under Rishi Sunak. Jenrick has maintained a prominent profile through social media.
Jenrick and Reform UK figures have had public disagreements in the past. Nigel Farage publicly criticized Jenrick on social media in August, and Zia Yusuf, Reform's head of policy, has also publicly criticized Jenrick's record.
Reform UK's Stance and Broader Political Implications
Robert Jenrick's defection marks the highest-profile move from the Conservative Party to Reform UK to date, bringing a figure with government and parliamentary experience to the party. Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice praised Jenrick's resignation from Rishi Sunak's government over immigration policy, describing it as a:
"principled stand"
and highlighting Jenrick's experience as valuable for Reform UK, particularly on immigration.
Jenrick's arrival within Reform UK raises questions about internal dynamics, particularly concerning his integration with other prominent party members and his working relationship with Nigel Farage, given their history of public disagreements.
Jenrick has also indicated areas where his views may not fully align with all of Reform UK's stated positions, specifically regarding benefits for larger families and Nigel Farage's past comments on a potential insurance-based model for the National Health Service.
The defection has brought renewed focus to whether Reform UK can unify the right-wing political spectrum in the UK. A perceived risk exists that a strong Reform UK showing could divide the right-wing vote, potentially benefiting the Labour Party in future elections. Both Reform UK and the Conservatives have dismissed the possibility of a political deal.
Conservative Response and Ongoing Defection Trend
Kemi Badenoch maintained that the Conservative Party became stronger after Jenrick's removal. She stated that Britain is "still one of the most successful, resilient and influential countries on Earth," and described declaring the country "finished" as unhelpful.
Badenoch criticized Reform UK, describing it as a movement based on:
"grievance and serial disloyalty"
that would ultimately fail. She concluded that the Conservative Party is now a:
"stronger and more united team"
following the event. Conservative MPs reported a quiet atmosphere within party communication channels over the weekend following the news.
Jenrick's defection is part of a broader trend of Conservative Party members joining Reform UK. Former Conservative MP Suella Braverman has also joined Reform UK, an announcement made by Reform leader Nigel Farage at a rally in London.
Braverman is the fourth sitting Conservative MP to defect to Reform UK since the last general election, and the third in the current month, with Andrew Rosindell also among recent defectors. Upon her defection, Braverman expressed agreement with Reform UK's assessment that Britain is "broken," a perspective the Conservative Party does not endorse, and offered a critique of the Conservative Party's governance record. This trend highlights ongoing political discussions regarding the future direction of the Conservative Party and the growing influence of Reform UK.