Robert Jenrick Sacked by Kemi Badenoch and Joins Reform UK
London, UK — A major political shock has hit British politics after Robert Jenrick, a senior Conservative MP, was sacked by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and then joined Reform UK in a highly publicised move on 15 January 2026.
Jenrick had been the Shadow Justice Secretary and a former contender for the Conservative leadership, but Badenoch removed him from the shadow cabinet and suspended his Conservative Party membership earlier in the day. She said she had been given “clear, irrefutable evidence” that he was secretly planning to defect to Reform UK in a way that could damage the Conservative Party and its MPs.
Just hours later, Jenrick appeared at a press conference with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, confirming that he had joined the party. In his speech, he said he no longer believed the Conservatives could bring about the “radical change this country needs.” He criticised his former party, saying it lacked direction and had failed on key issues such as immigration and governance.
Nigel Farage welcomed Jenrick to Reform UK, calling his arrival a high-profile boost for the growing party. Farage also hinted that other defections could follow as the political right continues to realign in Britain.
The move has deepened what many commentators are calling a “Tory civil war,” with significant internal tensions between Badenoch’s leadership team and those on the right of the party who are sympathetic to Reform UK’s views. Some Conservatives have welcomed Badenoch’s decisive action, while others see the split as a sign of deeper disunity.
Labour and other opposition leaders have reacted strongly, saying the defection shows instability within the Conservative ranks and strengthens calls for a clearer vision in British politics. The events come amid wider shifts in UK politics, with smaller parties like Reform UK gaining more attention and support in recent polls.
This episode marks one of the most dramatic defections in recent UK political history and could have significant implications for upcoming elections in 2026 and beyond.