Robert Jenrick has urged others to join Reform UK after he defected to Nigel Farage’s party in a deeply scathing attack on his former Conservative colleagues.
The former shadow justice secretary was sacked by leader Kemi Badenoch on Thursday before he was revealed by Mr Farage as Reform UK’s latest recruit.
Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Jenrick said he is “proud to be Reform’s 270,000th member” and said: “If you’re not already on board, join the movement. The future of the country is on the line.”
Attacking his former party, he wrote: “The Conservative Party can’t admit – to themselves or to the British people – what it’s done. It isn’t sorry. Still doesn’t get it. And hasn’t really changed.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch had sacked him earlier on Thursday, citing "irrefutable evidence” that he was “plotting to jump ship in a damaging way”.
At a Westminster press conference alongside Mr Farage, Mr Jenrick revealed he had been in talks with Reform for four months. He said: "Both Labour and the Conservatives broke Britain, and both are now dominated by those without the competence or the backbone needed to fix it.”
Read MoreTories reveal the ‘proof’ Robert Jenrick was plotting defection to Reform
Full list of Tories who have defected to Farage’s Reform after Jenrick sacked for ‘plotting move’
Key points
- Jenrick takes swipe at Tories in first speech for Reform
- Nigel Farage welcomes Jenrick to Reform UK
- Watch: Kemi Badenoch sacks Robert Jenrick
- Robert Jenrick sacked by Kemi Badenoch after ‘plotting in secret to defect’
- How alleged 'secret defection plot' was uncovered
Everything Nigel Farage and Robert Jenrick said about each other before his dramatic defection
09:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneIt has now been revealed that Robert Jenrick had been courting Reform since September, having dinner with Nigel Farage last month.
But the pair’s relationship has been far from smooth.
You can read everything they said about each other before Mr Jenrick’s defection below:
‘Lies’ and ‘a fraud’: Everything Farage and Jenrick have said about each other
Watch: Starmer brands Tories a ‘sinking ship’ as Jenrick defects to Reform UK
09:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneFarage ‘couldn’t run a 5-a-side team’, Jenrick says in leaked audio
09:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneRobert Jenrick said Nigel Farage “can’t even run a five-a-side” team as he criticised Reform UK in leaked audio from last year.
It comes after Mr Jenrick was ejected from the Conservative Party in a shock sacking for “plotting to defect”. Hours later, he announced he had joined Reform UK, the party led by Mr Farage.
But in leaked audio from March 2025, Mr Jenrick can be heard criticising his new boss and dismissing Reform UK as “not a serious party”.
The Independent’s political correspondent Athena Stavrou has this story:
Farage ‘couldn’t run a 5-a-side team’, Jenrick says in leaked audio
Nick Timothy accuses Jenrick of a 'lack of seriousness'
09:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneRobert Jenrick’s successor Nick Timothy has said too many politicians “lack seriousness” in a swipe at his predecessor.
Speaking to GB News on Friday, the new shadow justice secretary said he did not recognise the characterisation of the Conservative Party Mr Jenrick gave during a speech at a press conference on Thursday.
Mr Timothy said: “One of the things about yesterday that I think was really important was the contrast between Kemi’s leadership as somebody who acted decisively and takes very seriously those challenges (which the country faces), and the sense of backbiting and backstabbing and the lack of seriousness that we see in too many politicians.
“We saw it actually, to be fair, towards the end of our time in government before the 2024 general election.
“We see it every day with this Labour Government, constant speculation about the future of the Prime Minister, constant U-turns, constant clamouring by members of the Cabinet for the top job.
“And we see it in the Reform Party as well.
“But what Kemi showed was clarity of thought, strength of character and that’s the kind of leadership that the country needs.”
Reform MP denies that Jenrick harbours leadership ambitions
08:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneLee Anderson has denied reports that Robert Jenrick harbours leadership ambitions following his defection to Reform UK.
Asked whether he believes Nigel Farage can trust Mr Jenrick, the Reform chief whip told GB News on Friday: “We’ve got six MPs, all big characters, all big personalities, all want to do the right thing for their party.
“And we’re a party that believes in healthy competition.
“Does Rob want to be a leader? No, he doesn’t. He wants to be part of the team.
“He’s going to put his shoulder to the wheel and work extremely hard for Reform UK, for Newark and for this country.”
Lee Anderson says Tories 'totally out of touch' with voters
08:40 , Nicole Wootton-CaneLee Anderson has criticised the Conservative Party as “totally out of touch with their membership and their voters” after Robert Jenrick became the latest Tory MP to defect to Reform UK.
The Reform chief whip became the party’s first sitting MP after he lost the Conservative whip in February 2024.
He told GB News on Friday morning Mr Jenrick’s defection was a “big move for him”.
“We want the brightest and the very best from whatever field in this country to help us go in this country when we do win the election, whenever that may be,” Anderson said.
Referring to a popularity poll on the ConservativeHome website, which voted Mr Jenrick their MP of the year in 2024, Mr Anderson added: “It tells you a lot about the membership and the grassroots Tory party, as opposed to the parliamentary party – they are totally out of touch with their membership and their voters.”
Explained: Why Kemi Badenoch finally gave Robert Jenrick the boot
08:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAs she made her shock announcement that she had sacked Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch said she was “very sorry” to have had to fire her shadow justice secretary.
But the pair’s relationship has been fraught with tension since they battled it out in the contest to lead the Conservative Party, just 14 months ago, write political editor David Maddox and Whitehall editor Kate Devlin.
You can read their analysis on why Jenrick was sacked yesterday below:
Why Badenoch finally gave Jenrick the boot after months of Tory power struggle
'We should be looking at social media ban for under-16s very closely', says Pat McFadden
08:13 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
The government should be looking at a social media ban for under-16s "very closely", Cabinet minister Pat McFadden has said, amid growing speculation the policy could be pursued by ministers.
He said he was interested in the policy as both a "citizen" - because it is a "concern of parents of children growing up" - but also as the work and pensions secretary, pointing to a "great rise in mental health problems among young people that is resulting in a lot of young people claiming long term sickness benefits".
Speaking to Sky News, he added: "So there is a public policy aspect to this, as well as a parental one. So I am interested in it.
"I think we'll all be watching what has happened in Australia very closely to see how that plays out. And I think everyone wants young people to grow up in the healthiest possible environment.
"I don't say the government has made a decision on this, but I think we should be looking at this very closely, and we should be always asking ourselves how can we make sure that young people get the best start in life."
Starmer brands Tories a ‘sinking ship’ as Jenrick defects to Reform UK
08:04 , Athena StavrouJenrick was a "friend of mine", his Tory replacement says
07:50 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Nick Timothy, who has replaced Robert Jenrick as Tory shadow justice secretary, said his predecessor was "a friend of mine".
But he added that the public are sick of "the backbiting and the backstabbing” in British politics.
Asked whether he was friends with the former Tory, who defected to Reform UK on Thursday, the new shadow justice secretary told BBC Breakfast: “Yeah, Rob’s been a friend of mine for some time.
“It’s obviously disappointing that he’s decided to move on, but the thing is, what we learned yesterday is the clear contrast between the Conservatives led by Kemi Badenoch and the other parties and what they offer Britain today.
“The public are sick of the backbiting and the backstabbing and the lack of seriousness in our political parties when the challenges that the country faces are so serious, Kemi was given irrefutable evidence of what was about to happen, and she acted very decisively.”
'Same chaos and drama' for the Tories, says minister
07:31 , Athena StavrouPat McFadden said there was “the same chaos and drama” on the right of politics as when the Conservatives were in power.
Asked how worried he was that the right is starting to unite after a number of Tory defections to Reform UK, the Work and Pensions Secretary told Times Radio: “I don’t think what we’ve seen in the last few days is evidence of the right starting to unite.
“On the contrary, I think it’s evidence that we’re seeing more of the same chaos and drama that’s been happening on the right, which so dominated our politics during the 14 years of the Conservatives’ period in power.”
He said Labour was focused on improving public services, adding: “These are not things that can be done with politicians engaged in an endless civil war.”
Government minister 'not worried' about Labour defection to reform
07:25 , Athena StavrouPat McFadden insisted he was “not worried” after Nigel Farage suggested there was about to be a Labour defection to Reform UK.
The Work and Pensions Secretary told Times Radio: “I’m not worried, and I don’t know if that will happen but if it does, it’s still a right-wing project.
“This is a project that parrots President Putin’s line on foreign affairs, we’ve seen that most recently over Ukraine.
“It’s a project that doesn’t believe in the NHS. Nigel Farage himself has said that the model of the NHS is wrong.
“So whether it’s on foreign affairs or domestic affairs, this is a right-wing project and we will stand firmly against it.”
Everything Farage and Jenrick have said about each other in recent years
07:00 , Jane DaltonA reminder of all the jibes and insults:
‘Lies’ and ‘a fraud’: Everything Farage and Jenrick have said about each other
Tories reveal ‘proof’ Jenrick was plotting defection
06:00 , Jane DaltonA letter published by the Conservatives of wording Mr Jenrick had allegedly drafted and that were shown to Kemi Badenoch says: “Nigel has stood for the real change we need for over a decade.”
Tories reveal the ‘proof’ Robert Jenrick was plotting defection to Reform
Jenrick defects after sacking and declares Farage is leader Britain needs: Full report
05:00 , Jane Dalton Jenrick defects to Reform after shock sacking and declares Farage is leader UK needs
Opinion: Sacking ‘traitor’ starts Tories' fight to death with Reform
04:00 , Jane Dalton Sacking ‘Tory Traitor’ Jenrick marks the start of a fight to the death with Reform
Labour brand Jenrick 'shameless chancer'
03:00 , Jane DaltonLabour have branded Tory-to-Reform defector Robert Jenrick a "shameless chancer".
Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley said: "Robert Jenrick says the Tories broke Britain. Now he wants to do the same again with Farage's Reform. He's a shameless chancer who, like the other failed Tories who have scuttled off to Reform, are more interested in their careers than the country.
"With Jenrick in tow, Reform clearly wants to deliver the same chaos and decline he did while in government.
"While the Tories and Reform argue amongst themselves, Labour is delivering on the priorities of the British people and cutting the cost of living."
Analysis: How mild-mannered MP became ‘Trumpian hellraiser’
02:00 , Jane Dalton How mild-mannered Robert Jenrick turned into a ‘Trumpian hellraiser’
Watch: Awkward moment Farage left waiting as Jenrick fails to appear
01:00 , Jane Dalton Awkward moment Farage left waiting as Jenrick fails to appear at own Reform unveiling
Streeting calls for action on social media ban for under-16s
Thursday 15 January 2026 23:59 , Jane Dalton Streeting calls for ‘action’ on calls to ban under-16s from social media
Watch: Jenrick rules out Reform defection weeks before switching
Thursday 15 January 2026 22:59 , Jane Dalton Watch: Jenrick rules out Reform defection weeks before sacking
Lib Dems say Jenrick has 'industrial-grade brass neck'
Thursday 15 January 2026 21:59 , Jane DaltonThe Liberal Democrats said Mr Jenrick had "an industrial-grade brass neck" to complain about the state of the nation "when it was him and his Conservative cronies who did such damage to our country and to trust and faith in politics".
The party's deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: "Reform and the Conservatives are two sides of the same coin. Right across the country it is the Liberal Democrats who are leading the fight to defeat them."
Jenrick admits he contributed to Tory blunders
Thursday 15 January 2026 21:10 , Jane DaltonAppearing alongside Nigel Farage, Robert Jenrick admitted he had contributed to mistakes in the Tories’ record, but claimed his efforts as a minister had been let down by Boris Johnson and by Rishi Sunak.
"I can't in good conscience stick with a party that's failed so badly, that isn't sorry and hasn't changed, that I know in my heart won't - can't - deliver what's needed," he said.
Noting that he did not agree with everything Mr Farage had ever said, Mr Jenrick continued: "In retrospect, I see that in this period when the two main parties were failing Britain, Nigel was all too often a lone voice of common sense."
Jenrick has gone where he belongs, says Badenoch
Thursday 15 January 2026 20:31 , Jane DaltonKemi Badenoch has hit back at Robert Jenrick after his attack on the Conservatives, accusing him of self-publicity rather than serving the UK.
“People who come into politics for their own ambitions so they can be on TV or go on I'm a Celebrity, or whatever – those are the people who have damaged politics because they're not interested in day-to-day issues,” she said on a visit to Scotland.
“They're not interested in legislating. They want to send tweets, be on social media, be sensations.
“And they were not happy with the way I was running the party, wanting it to be serious. And now they have gone where they belong.”
We Conservatives are here to serve the country. Robert Jenrick is serving himself. pic.twitter.com/84Ls4wLMe4
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) January 15, 2026
Jenrick will be in my top team, says Farage
Thursday 15 January 2026 20:08 , Jane DaltonRobert Jenrick will join Reform UK’s front-line team, Nigel Farage said, while the defector claimed that Reform was "building and recruiting" a team of people whom the two main parties had “ignored and almost locked out politics".
Mr Farage said: "I think Rob coming will bring a lot more people and voters to us. I think this is actually a very big moment, and that's why we talked about it for a long time."
He admitted it had taken him a long time to become convinced that Mr Jenrick’s conversion was genuine.
“I thought perhaps he was doing it for political advantage within the Conservative Party to become leader,” he said. “I had my doubts, but I've begun to believe since the summer that actually this guy has been on a genuine journey, is viewing the country very differently.”
Full list of Tories who have defected to Farage’s Reform after Jenrick officially joins
Thursday 15 January 2026 20:00 , Bryony Gooch Full list of former Tories who have defected to Nigel Farage’s Reform
More than one in three councils wants to delay elections
Thursday 15 January 2026 19:15 , Jane DaltonAt least 27 local authorities have asked to delay elections this year amid a government reorganisation drive, according to administrators.
Dozens of district and county council ballots across England could be pushed back as officials seek to deliver structural changes as part of a shake-up to local government.
Opposition critics have said Labour is "running scared" of voters after ministers said they would authorise delays if councils had concerns about their capacity to introduce reforms in time.
But Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended the Government's plans and said the prospect of postponements was "a common sense question" of whether to go forward with elections in cases where the local authority is due to undergo changes.
According to data compiled by the Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA), some 27 - or more than a third - of the 63 eligible local authorities have sought a delay to either district or county council votes this year.
Others were yet to make a decision on whether to ask for a postponement ahead of the request deadline at midnight on Thursday.
Shadow secretary affirms Tories are 'united' despite defection
Thursday 15 January 2026 18:57 , Bryony GoochTory MP Andrew Griffiths, shadow secretary for business and trade, has affirmed that the Conservatives remain united despite Robert Jenrick’s defection.
“I came into politics from business. I know there’s no ‘I’ in team.
“In the face of the epic damage the socialists in Downing Street are doing, we are not short of reasons for @Conservatives to be united.
“Leadership involves laying down the line.”
I came into politics from business. I know there’s no ‘I’ in team.
— Andrew Griffith MP (@griffitha) January 15, 2026
In the face of the epic damage the socialists in Downing Street are doing, we are not short of reasons for @Conservatives to be united.
Leadership involves laying down the line. https://t.co/F0AnzA0TtE
Watch: Why did it take so long to sack Jenrick? Starmer asks
Thursday 15 January 2026 18:35 , Jane DaltonWatch: Farage warns Jenrick he will have to toe Reform line in public
Thursday 15 January 2026 17:53 , Jane DaltonJenrick barred from disagreeing with me in public, says Farage
Thursday 15 January 2026 17:43 , Jane DaltonNigel Farage says Robert Jenrick will not be allowed to disagree with him in public.
Answering a question from The Independent’s Kate Devlin, he said: “The only rule I have as leader is that we have our disagreements, we have our arguments, we have our rows behind closed doors.
“People in politics who have disputes in public with me generally don't tend to do terribly well.”
Farage says he did not offer Jenrick a title
Thursday 15 January 2026 17:28 , Jane DaltonNigel Farage insisted he had not offered Mr Jenrick a rank, title, position or money.
Mr Jenrick said: “Nobody leaves a party which they're the bookies’ favourite to be leader out of ambition.
“You do this out of conviction. I've done this today because I'm convinced it's the right thing to do for my constituents, and to the country.”
Defecting was hard but the right thing, Jenrick insists
Thursday 15 January 2026 17:24 , Jane DaltonRobert Jenrick has said defecting to Reform UK was a difficult decision, and not one that he took lightly, but he was convinced it was the right thing to do for the country.
Denying he had ambitions to take Mr Farage’s job as party leader, he said: “Whatever the bookies say about being leader of the Tory party, I've done it because I think Nigel is the man to lead this country.”