Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has issued a stark warning to her own Members of Parliament, urging them not to damage the party "from within" following a series of high-profile defections to Nigel Farage's Reform UK.
An Ultimatum to Potential Defectors
The warning was delivered in a letter to Conservative MPs on Monday 19 January 2026, after she called a meeting to address the growing concern. The move comes in direct response to last week's announcements that Robert Jenrick and Andrew Rosindell had quit the Tory party to join Reform.
Jenrick, who was sacked by Badenoch from his role as shadow minister for foreign affairs prior to his defection, used a speech to criticise shadow chancellor Mel Stride and shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel. In her letter, as reported by GB News, Badenoch set out a firm boundary for dissent.
"Differences of opinion are part of a healthy party," she wrote. "But there is a clear line between disagreement and trying to damage the party from within." She stated that anyone undermining party messages would be "dealt with firmly and fairly".
Leadership Backing and Reform's Response
Monday's events marked Badenoch's latest assertive step in confronting the threat of further defections. Her stance appears to have won support from within her shadow cabinet. One senior shadow minister told City AM that "no one cared" about Jenrick's move in internal group chats.
However, the defections have sparked debate within Reform itself. Nigel Farage has pushed back against the idea that his party acts as a "rescue charity for every panicky Tory MP," claiming some candidates had been rejected. Despite this, deputy leader Richard Tice welcomed Jenrick as a "great new asset" in a BBC interview.
Reform UK policy chief Zia Yusuf added a significant caveat, indicating that any Tory defectors would be turned away after crucial elections in May, suggesting a window of opportunity is closing.
Creating Space for Loyalists
In her communication, Badenoch adopted a pragmatic tone towards those considering leaving. "Those who cannot be part of a Conservative Party that is changing in this way are free to make other choices," she stated.
She added, "There will be no hard feelings about that as they will create space for those who share our values and purpose." The chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of backbench MPs summoned the meeting to discuss the leadership's response to the ongoing political shifts.
This internal challenge represents a critical test for Badenoch's authority as she seeks to unify the party and stem the flow of members to its rival on the right.
