Former Conservative Frontbencher Robert Jenrick Has Defected
by HEDNEWS on January 16, 2026
- Former Conservative frontbencher Robert Jenrick has defected from the Conservative Party to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK following his sacking as shadow justice secretary by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. Jenrick told the BBC his move is intended to “unite the right” and offer a real alternative to the major parties — not driven by personal ambition.
His departure adds to a growing wave of senior Conservatives joining Reform UK, reflecting deepening rifts within Britain’s centre-right politics.
Jenrick said he has “put aside his own personal ambition” in joining Reform UK and believes the party can bring together right-wing voters disillusioned with both the Conservatives and Labour.
He sees Nigel Farage as “the man to lead this country” and pledged to work to make that happen before the next general election, but doesn’t plan to trigger a by-election in his Newark seat. - Jenrick was sacked and suspended from the Conservative Party by Kemi Badenoch earlier Thursday after she said she was shown “clear, irrefutable evidence” he was secretly planning a damaging defection.
He has been a vocal critic of the Conservatives’ performance, accusing them of having “failed” on key issues like immigration and economic reform and saying both major parties have “broken Britain.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has reacted sharply, framing Jenrick’s departure as a cleansing of “dishonest” elements and insisting the Tories are now more united under her leadership.
Financial Times - Some Tory figures have welcomed his exit as eliminating internal instability, while others see the Conservatives consolidating under new leadership after recent electoral setbacks.
Financial Times - The broader political reaction includes warnings that Reform UK could consolidate support among right-wing voters and challenge the Conservatives in upcoming local and national contests.
Jenrick is one of several high-profile Conservative defectors in recent months, signalling potential realignment on the British right and rising influence for Reform UK ahead of elections.
Reform’s leader Nigel Farage has welcomed Jenrick’s arrival, framing it as part of building a credible alternative to traditional parties — even as some critics question whether the move will strengthen or fragment the conservative vote.
The defection underscores deep tensions within the Conservative Party over direction, leadership and strategy, particularly after its recent general election defeat.
It also highlights Reform UK’s growing role in UK politics as it seeks to position itself as a core force on the right ahead of crucial local and national ballots.
