The defection of former Conservative chancellor Nadhim Zahawi to Reform UK has triggered a decidedly mixed reaction within Nigel Farage's party, with some senior figures privately branding the move 'naked opportunism'.
Internal Fears of a 'Same Team, New Badge' Image
Insiders have told Sky News they are concerned the high-profile switch, unveiled at a news conference on Monday 12 January 2026, risks making Reform look like a home for former Tories. One source warned it could appear that Zahawi, a loyalist to every Tory leader from 2010, was simply seeking a new political vehicle after 14 years in government.
Critics within the party point to Zahawi's history, including his 63-day tenure as chancellor and his sacking as Conservative Party chairman by Rishi Sunak for breaching the ministerial code over his tax affairs. His involvement in the 2013 expenses scandal, where he charged taxpayers for his horses' stables, also lingers.
As one Reform figure put it, the growing list of defectors—including Nadine Dorries and Jake Berry—creates a perception of 'same team, new badge', reminiscent of Boris Johnson's Conservative Party.
Poll Slump Coincides with Defection Drama
The internal discord emerges as a new Sky x Times YouGov poll reveals Reform's support has fallen to its lowest level in ten months. Conducted before Zahawi's defection was announced, the poll published on Tuesday 13 January 2026 puts Reform on 24%, down two points.
Ironically, the polling company YouGov was co-founded by Nadhim Zahawi himself. The survey shows the Conservatives on 20% (up one), Labour on 19% (up two), the Liberal Democrats on 16%, and the Greens on 14%.
Analysts note this forms part of a broader downward trend for Reform since a peak around October 2025, coinciding with a slight Tory recovery and a declining public focus on immigration as the top issue.
Defectors Offer Cautious Welcome
Reaction from other high-profile converts has been measured. Nadine Dorries, who also defected from the Tories, failed to explicitly endorse Zahawi. She told Sky News that while "everyone has their own reasons" for joining, "not everybody is welcome in Reform".
The former culture secretary warned there was "a limit to the number of former ministers" the party would accept and suggested other Tory MPs considering a jump might "get a nasty shock". She did, however, state that "the writing is on the wall for the Conservative Party".
Despite the internal anxieties, party leader Nigel Farage has publicly championed Zahawi's arrival. At Monday's announcement, Zahawi declared he defected because "our wonderful country is sick" and that "Britain needs Reform".
The coming weeks will test whether this high-stakes recruitment proves to be a help or a hindrance to Reform's ambitions, as it balances its anti-establishment appeal against the allure of experienced political figures.
