Public sick of backstabbing, says Tory defector Jenrick’s replacement.

The Conservative Party’s newly appointed Shadow Justice Secretary, Nick Timothy, has starkly declared that the British public is "absolutely sick" of the relentless "backbiting and backstabbing" plaguing Westminster, a sentiment articulated in the immediate aftermath of Robert Jenrick’s dramatic defection to Reform UK. Jenrick, a former Housing Secretary and Immigration Minister, sent shockwaves through the Conservative ranks on Thursday when he not only switched allegiances to Nigel Farage’s populist party but also penned an inflammatory article in the Telegraph, imploring other disillusioned Tories to follow suit, asserting that "the future of the country is on the line." This high-profile departure underscores a deepening ideological rift within the right of British politics and signals a significant challenge for the governing Conservatives as they grapple with plummeting poll numbers and an increasingly vocal insurgent force.

Timothy, who swiftly stepped into the shadow cabinet role vacated by Jenrick, was quick to draw a contrast between his own party’s diligent efforts and what he characterized as Reform UK’s superficial approach. He argued that Reform was conspicuously failing to undertake the "thoughtful work" and serious policy development essential for genuinely addressing the nation’s complex problems. His remarks aimed to project an image of stability and substantive governance from the Conservatives, even as Jenrick’s defection highlighted internal turmoil. Senior figures within the Conservative Party privately acknowledge that the possibility of further defections exists, yet they cautiously downplay the likelihood of an imminent "big wave" of departures, perhaps hoping to contain the damage and prevent a cascade effect.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch responded to the crisis with a defiant tone, dismissing concerns about more MPs abandoning her party. Speaking to reporters, she insisted that the Conservatives remained "a strong and united team," an assertion that many political observers might find challenging to reconcile with recent events. Badenoch went further, stating that the party was, in fact, "stronger since he left because he simply wasn’t a team player," effectively framing Jenrick’s departure as a purification rather than a loss. This robust response was widely seen as an attempt to project leadership and control in a moment of vulnerability. The timing and manner of Jenrick’s defection, coming just ahead of critical local and national elections on May 7th, were clearly designed to maximize impact, a strategy Nigel Farage enthusiastically endorsed at a press conference unveiling Jenrick as Reform’s newest MP. Farage, ever the showman, declared his intention to continue welcoming defectors until election day, signaling an aggressive poaching strategy.

Jenrick’s switch marks him as the second sitting Conservative MP to defect to Reform UK, and the second former Conservative minister to join the party within a single week, following the earlier high-profile defection of former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi. This pattern of experienced political figures abandoning the Conservatives for Reform lends a new degree of credibility and gravitas to Farage’s movement, challenging the long-held perception that Reform is merely a fringe party lacking governmental experience. Despite the public embarrassment, Timothy maintained that the mood within the Conservative Party following Jenrick’s departure was one of "resolve" and that the party was "more united under Kemi [Badenoch’s] leadership than I’ve known it for many years." He attributed this perceived unity to colleagues being "impressed by the way Kemi handled the situation and had been so decisive," implicitly endorsing her swift and unapologetic response to Jenrick’s betrayal. Timothy reiterated his criticism of Reform, asserting that they were not engaged in "the serious work that will lead to serious policies," positioning the Conservatives as the only party with the intellectual depth and commitment to address national challenges.

Behind the scenes, the anger among Conservative MPs was palpable and intense. One former Jenrick supporter, speaking anonymously to the BBC, expressed profound disappointment, accusing Jenrick of "telling lies to everyone." This sentiment was echoed by a Shadow Cabinet Minister and staunch Badenoch loyalist, who dismissed Jenrick’s move as purely self-serving, stating: "This is the ego of Robert Jenrick. He’s been seduced by the impression from his social media following that he’s more popular than he really is." These private remarks highlight a perception within the party that Jenrick’s actions were driven by personal ambition and a misjudgment of his true political capital, rather than a genuine ideological shift. Conversely, Reform UK’s leader in Scotland, Lord Offord, offered a more sympathetic interpretation, telling the BBC: "At the end of the day people are allowed to genuinely change their opinion as they get older and wiser and more experienced." He contended that Jenrick "now knows that politics is realigning and he needs to get on the side of authenticity and that’s why he’s chosen Reform," framing the defection as a principled stand rather than an opportunistic move.

Farage further stoked the political fires by announcing his intention to reveal a defection from the Labour Party in the coming week, a move designed to demonstrate Reform’s broad appeal across the political spectrum and intensify pressure on both established parties. However, Labour figures were quick to downplay the threat. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden told Times Radio he was "not worried" about a potential defection, firmly stating that Reform was "a right-wing project and we will stand firmly against it," seeking to define Reform as a purely conservative phenomenon and thus not a threat to Labour’s left-leaning base. Similarly, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Ministers generally played down the significance of Jenrick’s defection, arguing that he possessed limited public recognition outside of specific political circles.

Despite attempts by both mainstream parties to minimize the impact, Jenrick’s defection carries substantial weight. While his name might not be universally known, the Newark MP is undeniably popular among the Conservative Party’s grassroots membership, making his departure a blow to party morale and potentially inspiring similar disaffection among activists. Moreover, his arrival significantly strengthens Reform UK’s argument that it is more than just a "one-man band" centered around Nigel Farage. Jenrick’s experience in government, having served in significant ministerial roles, provides Reform with a valuable asset, countering accusations that the party lacks the depth of talent or practical governing experience. This infusion of experienced politicians could help Reform shed its image as a protest vehicle and position itself as a credible alternative for disillusioned voters. However, this strategy also leaves Reform vulnerable to accusations, even from within its own burgeoning ranks, that the party is not merely replacing the Conservatives but, in essence, becoming them – adopting their personnel and potentially their perceived flaws.

The dramatic events surrounding Jenrick’s departure also laid bare the intense internal politics of the Conservative Party. Kemi Badenoch’s swift decision to sack Jenrick as a shadow minister on Thursday was accompanied by a video statement in which she declared she had been "presented with clear, irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect in a way designed to be as damaging as possible to his shadow cabinet colleagues and the wider Conservative Party." The BBC later reported that Badenoch had been shown a draft of Jenrick’s defection speech, which reportedly included "stinging criticism" of his former shadow cabinet colleagues, underscoring the premeditated and hostile nature of his move. A mere five and a half hours after his dismissal, Jenrick appeared at a Reform press conference, where he was formally unveiled as the party’s newest MP. Speaking to reporters, he unleashed a scathing critique of both Labour and the Conservatives, asserting that they were "dominated by those without the competence or backbone needed to fix it." He further condemned the previous Conservative government, in which he had served with distinction, for having "failed so badly," effectively disavowing his own recent political past. This public repudiation of his former party and government deepens the political chasm, signalling a profound realignment of forces on the British right as the nation braces for a pivotal election cycle.