UK Conservatives shaken as Robert Jenrick defects to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK

Robert Jenrick, a high-profile Conservative MP and former shadow justice secretary, has defected from the Conservative Party to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, deepening turmoil within Britain’s centre-right politics. The dramatic move follows his dismissal from the Conservative leadership team by party leader Kemi Badenoch on 15 January 2026, after evidence emerged that he was planning a secret defection that would damage the party’s prospects. 

Defection confirmed after dismissal

Badenoch removed Jenrick from his shadow cabinet role, suspended his Conservative Party membership, and withdrew the party whip, citing “clear, irrefutable evidence” that he intended to join Reform UK — a departure she framed as necessary to protect her leadership and party unity. Shortly after his dismissal, Jenrick appeared with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage at a press event confirming his new allegiance. 

Jenrick, once considered a leadership contender within the Conservatives, said his decision came after a period of reflection and that both major UK parties were “no longer fit for purpose.” He characterised his move as an effort to “unite the right,” positioning Reform UK as a viable alternative to what he views as Conservative failures — particularly on immigration and economic issues. 

Sharp public exchange and party reaction

The fallout has been marked by acrimonious exchanges between Jenrick and Badenoch. The Tory leader accused him of dishonesty and of wanting to “burn the Conservative Party to the ground,” asserting that removing him would strengthen her leadership. Jenrick rejected claims that personal ambition was his sole motive, arguing instead that the party had failed to confront its internal problems. 

Labour and other opposition parties seized on the defection, criticising the Conservatives for ongoing instability and highlighting Reform UK’s growing appeal amid voter dissatisfaction. Some Conservatives, including former ministers, have also condemned Jenrick’s move as a betrayal that could further damage the party’s credibility. 

Broader political significance

Jenrick’s shift to Reform UK is the most high-profile Conservative defection yet and follows others who have moved to Farage’s party in recent months. Reform’s trajectory — bolstered by local election gains and rising poll numbers — has posed a sustained challenge to the traditional two-party dominance in UK politics. 

While Badenoch has dismissed the notion of a future electoral pact with Reform and insists the Conservatives can regroup, analysts say the defection highlights deeper fractures on the right as voters reassess allegiance in an evolving political landscape.