Suella Braverman Joins Reform UK Amid Tory Exodus

In a dramatic turn of events that has sent ripples through the British political establishment, former Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman has announced her defection to Reform UK. Speaking at a Veterans for Reform press launch in London on January 26, 2026, Braverman revealed she was resigning her Conservative Party membership after three decades and would represent her Fareham and Waterlooville constituency as a Reform UK MP with immediate effect.

This high-profile move comes on the heels of a wave of Conservative defections to Reform UK, a party led by Nigel Farage that has positioned itself as a right-wing alternative to the traditional Conservative base. According to The Independent, Braverman’s switch follows closely behind that of Robert Jenrick, who was recently dismissed from his role as shadow justice secretary. Jenrick’s departure brought the number of sitting MPs in Reform UK to eight, a significant milestone for a party that, only a few years ago, was considered a fringe player in British politics.

Braverman’s defection is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend that has seen a succession of prominent Conservatives abandon their party in favor of Reform UK over the last two years. Among the most notable are Nadhim Zahawi, Lee Anderson, Nadine Dorries, Danny Kruger, Jonathan Gullis, David Jones, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Lucy Allan, Sir Jake Berry, Anne Marie Morris, Marco Longhi, Ross Thomson, Chris Green, Lia Nici, Ben Bradley, and Andrew Rosindell. Each has brought their own reasons and political gravitas, adding weight to Reform UK’s growing presence in Parliament.

Lee Anderson, for example, was elected in 2019 as a Conservative MP for Ashfield but defected to Reform UK in March 2024. Not only did he retain his seat as a Reform UK MP in the 2024 general election, but he also rose to become the party’s Chief Whip. Meanwhile, Jonathan Gullis, who had served as the Tory MP for Stoke-on-Trent North from 2019 to 2024, announced his move to Reform UK in December 2025 after losing his seat and grappling with employment challenges. Nadine Dorries, a household name after her tenure as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport under Boris Johnson, left the Conservatives in September 2025 after 25 years, citing a need for change and fresh direction.

The list goes on. David Jones, a former cabinet minister and a Conservative stalwart for over 50 years, switched allegiances in the summer of 2025. In his parting statement, Jones declared, “Today, Reform UK is the party that best represents my views – and, I believe, those of many others who have become disillusioned with the two old major parties.” Dame Andrea Jenkyns, who served as Conservative MP for Morely and Outwood from 2015 to 2024, joined Reform UK in November 2025 and later announced her candidacy for Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, a position she secured the following year.

For some, the decision to leave the Conservatives was deeply personal and ideological. Danny Kruger, MP for East Wiltshire, was blunt in his assessment at a press conference: “This is my tragic conclusion, the Conservative Party is over, over as a national party, over as the principal opposition to the left.” Others, like Andrew Rosindell, who had been MP for Romford since 2001 and held various shadow ministerial roles, cited specific policy failures. Writing on X, Rosindell said, “The failure of the Conservative Party both when in government and more recently in opposition to actively hold the government to account on the issue of Chagossian self-determination and the defence of British sovereignty, represents a clear red line for me.”

Sir Jake Berry, who served as MP for Rossendale and Darwen from 2010 to 2024 and briefly chaired the Conservative Party, defected last July. Anne Marie Morris, after a long career as Conservative MP for Newton Abbot, joined Reform UK to lead their social care policy. Marco Longhi, Ross Thomson, Chris Green, Lia Nici, and Ben Bradley each brought their own history and local influence to the growing ranks of Reform UK. Notably, Ben Bradley, the former Mansfield MP and Nottingham County Council leader, was appointed head of local government action for Reform UK, focusing on reducing council spending.

The most high-profile defection before Braverman’s was Nadhim Zahawi, who served as Chancellor and held various ministerial posts under four Conservative prime ministers. Zahawi’s move at the start of January 2026 was seen as a watershed moment. According to The Independent, Zahawi stated, “Britain really does need Nigel Farage as prime minister.” While some Conservative sources suggested Zahawi’s decision was motivated by a rejected peerage request, he firmly dismissed such claims.

Robert Jenrick, whose defection was announced after his dismissal as shadow justice secretary, was equally forthright in his criticism of the Tories. “If we don’t get the next Government right, Britain will likely slip beyond the point of repair,” he warned, adding, “I can’t in good conscience stick with a party that’s failed so badly, that isn’t sorry and hasn’t changed, that I know in my heart won’t – can’t – deliver what’s needed. That’s why I resolved to leave. Because Nigel Farage has stood consistently, and often alone for what’s needed.”

The cumulative effect of these defections has been to transform Reform UK from a minor protest movement into a significant force in British politics. With each new MP, the party’s credibility and parliamentary presence have grown. Nigel Farage, long known for his ability to tap into discontent on the right, now presides over a party that boasts not only grassroots enthusiasm but also considerable experience at the highest levels of government. The arrival of figures like Braverman, Zahawi, and Jenrick has given Reform UK a veneer of mainstream respectability, even as it continues to challenge the established order.

For the Conservative Party, the exodus is a sobering reflection of internal divisions and a perceived inability to offer a compelling vision in opposition. Many of those who left have cited disillusionment with the party’s direction, a lack of accountability, or a failure to stand up for core Conservative principles. The recurring theme is one of frustration with what defectors see as a party adrift, unable to respond effectively to the challenges facing Britain today.

Yet, for all the drama, the road ahead is uncertain. Reform UK’s surge in parliamentary numbers is impressive, but the British political system is notoriously tough on insurgent parties. Whether the party can turn its momentum into lasting electoral success remains to be seen. Still, with eight MPs and a steady stream of high-profile converts, Reform UK has already altered the landscape of British politics in ways few would have predicted just a few years ago.

As the dust settles from Suella Braverman’s announcement, one thing is clear: the realignment on the right is far from over, and the battle for the soul of Britain’s conservative movement has only just begun.