Robert Jenrick Defects to Reform UK and Blasts Main Parties as “Rotten”
London, UK — A dramatic moment in British politics came on 15 January 2026 when Robert Jenrick, a senior Conservative MP and former shadow justice secretary, officially joined Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party after being sacked from the Conservative frontbench. His departure has intensified political debate and deepened divisions on the UK’s right.
Jenrick was dismissed earlier in the day by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who said she had seen “irrefutable evidence” that he was secretly planning to switch to Reform UK in a way that could harm the Conservative Party. Badenoch removed him from his role and suspended his party membership before Jenrick’s move became public.
Hours later, Jenrick took part in a press conference with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, where he made strong comments about Britain’s two largest parties. In his speech, he declared that both the Conservative and Labour parties are “rotten” and “no longer fit for purpose”, saying they had failed to fix the country’s problems and could not be trusted to do so.
Jenrick also criticised the Conservatives for lacking the “stomach for the radical change this country needs” and said that both main parties had contributed to Britain’s struggles on issues like immigration and public services. He argued that Reform UK offers voters a new path forward and a real alternative to the old political order.
Mr Farage welcomed Jenrick into Reform UK, calling his decision a significant moment in the ongoing realignment of centre‑right politics in the UK. Reform UK is now reported to have more seats and stronger poll numbers than the Conservatives in some surveys ahead of future elections.
The defection marks one of the highest‑profile moves of the current political era, highlighting growing dissatisfaction among some Conservatives and increasing support for Reform UK’s platform. Critics within both the Conservative and Labour parties say Jenrick’s claims are exaggerated, while supporters of Reform see his move as evidence of broader shifts in British politics.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, this episode may shape debates around party unity, voter trust, and the future direction of UK politics in the years leading up to the next general election.