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LeftishBrit

(41,450 posts) Sun Jan 18, 2026, 03:43 PM Jan 18

Eleven Tory MPs on defection watchlist over fears more could join Farage's Reform

The Conservatives have placed 11 of their MPs on a defection watch list amid fears more could follow Robert Jenrick to Reform UK.

Kemi Badenoch dramatically sacked Mr Jenrick from her shadow cabinet on Thursday after his plot to make a move was uncovered by the party, with the Tory leader on Friday branding him a “liar” who can’t be trusted.

Former Tory cabinet minister Michael Gove warned Mr Jenrick’s reputation will be scarred by his “treachery” and said his scathing attack on his former party would inflict lasting damage on his reputation....

The watch list, drawn up before Mr Jenrick’s defection, and seen by The Independent, includes former ministers and veteran MPs Suella Braverman, Sir John Hayes, Mark Francois, Esther McVey, Andrew Rosindell and Sir Desmond Swayne.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/robert-jenrick-reform-uk-tories-badenoch-farage-b2901926.html

8 replies

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Eleven Tory MPs on defection watchlist over fears more could join Farage's Reform (Original Post) LeftishBrit Jan 18 OP

Jenrick is a vile person, and so are the MPs mentioned! LeftishBrit Jan 18 #1

Are they like MAGA? Is Trumpism spreading to britain? IcyPeas Jan 18 #2

They are Britain's maggots. 3Hotdogs Jan 19 #6

Andrew Rosindell has defected T_i_B Jan 18 #4

Isn't he the one with a bull terrier in a Union Jack waistcoat? LeftishBrit Jan 18 #5

And now Suella Braverman has defected T_i_B 18 hrs ago #7

The Tories really screwed up their response muriel_volestrangler 11 hrs ago #8

Farage like Trump is working to break up The Wizard Jan 18 #3

LeftishBrit

(41,450 posts)

1. Jenrick is a vile person, and so are the MPs mentioned!

Reply to LeftishBrit (Original post)

Sun Jan 18, 2026, 03:49 PM

Jan 18

IcyPeas

(25,020 posts)

2. Are they like MAGA? Is Trumpism spreading to britain?

Reply to LeftishBrit (Reply #1)

Sun Jan 18, 2026, 04:08 PM

Jan 18

3Hotdogs

(15,113 posts)

6. They are Britain's maggots.

Reply to IcyPeas (Reply #2)

Mon Jan 19, 2026, 12:25 AM

Jan 19

T_i_B

(14,884 posts)

4. Andrew Rosindell has defected

Reply to LeftishBrit (Reply #1)

Sun Jan 18, 2026, 05:49 PM

Jan 18

To be honest, he's always been absolutely dreadful and will fit right in with Reform..

LeftishBrit

(41,450 posts)

5. Isn't he the one with a bull terrier in a Union Jack waistcoat?

Reply to T_i_B (Reply #4)

Sun Jan 18, 2026, 06:01 PM

Jan 18

I'm only surprised that he didn't defect long ago.

T_i_B

(14,884 posts)

7. And now Suella Braverman has defected

Reply to LeftishBrit (Reply #5)

Mon Jan 26, 2026, 07:39 AM

18 hrs ago

Even less surprising than Rosindell.

muriel_volestrangler

(105,716 posts)

8. The Tories really screwed up their response

Reply to T_i_B (Reply #7)

Mon Jan 26, 2026, 02:54 PM

11 hrs ago

The Conservatives have withdrawn a claim that Suella Braverman’s defection to Reform UK on Monday was connected to her mental health after criticism from across the political spectrum.

Earlier, in an official statement it now says was “sent out in error”, the party said: “It was always a matter of when, not if, Suella would defect. The Conservatives did all we could to look after Suella’s mental health, but she was clearly very unhappy.”

The statement was shared with journalists by a Conservative party spokesperson and swiftly condemned by MPs, peers and mental health charities for its brutality and indiscretion, as well as for trivialising and weaponising mental health struggles.
...
The Conservative spokesperson subsequently apologised for the error and circulated a statement that omitted the reference to Braverman’s mental health.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jan/26/tories-say-mental-health-claim-about-suella-braverman-sent-in-error

When you leave Reform UK looking like the reasonable, caring ones, you've hit bottom.

The Wizard

(13,618 posts)

3. Farage like Trump is working to break up

Reply to LeftishBrit (Original post)

Sun Jan 18, 2026, 04:32 PM

Jan 18

the Western Alliance.
Putin smiles.

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