In a seismic shift for British politics, former Conservative minister Robert Jenrick has crossed the floor to join Reform UK. The dramatic defection came just hours after he was sacked from the shadow cabinet and suspended from the Tory party by leader Kemi Badenoch on Thursday 15 January 2026.
A Dramatic Day in Westminster
The political earthquake began in the morning when Badenoch removed Jenrick from his role as shadow justice secretary. Speaking to Sky News political editor Beth Rigby, Badenoch revealed she had been warned by numerous Tory and Reform sources that a defection was imminent. She stated she had initially believed Jenrick's denials, but later saw "very clear evidence" suggesting otherwise.
Speculation mounted throughout the day, with Jenrick himself adding fuel to the fire by posting a cryptic message on X, formerly Twitter, stating: "It's time for the truth." The mystery was resolved at a news conference held by Reform UK figurehead Nigel Farage that afternoon.
Farage's Announcement and an Awkward Entrance
Nigel Farage confirmed Jenrick's move to Reform, noting with irony that he had not been aware of the plan hours earlier. He thanked Kemi Badenoch for inadvertently speeding up the defection process through her actions. Farage invited the newest recruit to the stage, but an awkward pause of several minutes ensued before Jenrick finally appeared before the cameras.
Scathing Attack on the Tories and Labour
When he did speak, the former Tory leadership hopeful launched a blistering critique of his former party. He declared that the Conservatives "don't have the stomach for the radical change this country needs." Jenrick expressed his disillusionment, stating, "I can't kid myself any more. The party hasn't changed and it won't."
His criticism was not limited to one side of the aisle. Jenrick accused both the Tories and Labour of having "broke Britain," arguing that neither party's senior ranks possessed the "competence or the backbone needed to fix it." In a significant move for his constituents, Jenrick confirmed he does not intend to call a by-election in his Newham seat, choosing to remain as their MP under his new Reform UK affiliation.
This story is developing, and further updates are expected shortly.
