‘Enough
already’: Jenrick’s defection gets mixed reception from Reform members
Some
supporters are concerned about the number of Conservatives being welcomed by
their party, and fear it could alienate voters
Ben Quinn
Political correspondent
Fri 16
Jan 2026 05.00 EST
If Reform
UK was officially celebrating Robert Jenrick’s defection to Nigel Farage’s
party, the reaction of the rank-and-file was an altogether more complicated one
– ranging from jubilation to despair that yet another Tory was coming onboard.
“Enough
already! Reform uk please take note, you are going to lose members and voters
if you don’t cap this craziness … We don’t want a Tory party Pt II,” was the
early response from James Scott, one of a number of members expressing their
unhappiness on one of the largest private Reform Facebook groups.
After the
Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, broke the news that she was sacking her
long-term rival from the frontbench and taking away the party whip for
“plotting”, another Reform member commented: “Don’t do it, Nigel. If Jenrick
joins Reform I’m done I am a member of the party but will leave immediately.”
Yet such
hostility to Jenrick from Reform members appeared still to be in the minority,
with the bulk of contributors to the same group and others rubbing their hands
at the prospect of Reform chalking up its most senior Tory recruit yet.
“We
always wanted Jenrick in the Reform party. He’s a seasoned veteran of
parliament,” wrote one on a private Facebook forum used by members.
“Fantastic
news !! I am losing count of how many potential great future leaders are now in
Reform,” said Paul Rayner, posting on a public group established to celebrate
Nigel Farage.
Speculation
that the ambitious rightwinger could be about to ditch the Tories has long been
a favourite topic across Reform social media groups, branch meetings and bar
get-togethers.
When it
came, it took the membership by surprise – especially given they have become
used to laughing as their leader ridiculed the previously remain-supporting MP
as “Robert Generic”.
Reform’s
frontline elected representatives at some of the councils it now controls were
no different.
Among
those on Nottinghamshire county council, one of several that the party took
control of during last year’s local elections and an area where Jenrick is an
MP, there was trepidation about making any comment from several contacted by
the Guardian.
Most of
the councillors were reluctant to go on the record, but the general view was
that Jenrick would be welcome, and that one of the Conservative party’s most
ardent rightwingers – even one known for their ambition – would fit in.
“I’ve
literally been out all day making sure potholes are filled and doing casework
so I haven’t processed it properly yet but I know he is very experienced,” said
Rory Green, a Reform member of Nottinghamshire county council, after Badenoch’s
announcement. “He is a barrister and has been on cabinet nationally so that’s
positive.”
A Reform
colleague on the same council, Dawn Justice, ventured that Jenrick was “well
liked”, but she needed to read more about the defection.
Less shy
about trumpeting Jenrick’s arrival was Maxwell Harrison, a senior member of
Reform’s “flagship” Kent county council, who used a Facebook group to deliver a
short speech in the style of Farage, saying: “Make no mistake about it. This is
a massive moment in our movement’s history.”
He
invited followers to “let me know what you think” in comments, most of which
appeared to endorse Jenrick, though some expressed concern about the number of
Conservatives being welcomed by the party.
While
Farage may have his work cut out to convince some members about Jenrick, an
equally sceptical reaction may yet await in the upper echelons of the party.
Zia Yusuf
– Reform’s head of policy and someone with a particularly difficult backstory
in terms of his relationship with Jenrick – appeared a month ago to recognise
the very real discontent among an unknown chunk of the party.
“I’ve had
many messages from Reform grassroots worried about former Tory MPs joining our
party. I want to be clear to our Reform grassroots: YOU will be prioritised in
candidate selection for our next class of MPs, NOT failed former Tory MPs,” he
said.
While
Jenrick and Farage batted away journalists who brought up their previous
criticism of each other, tensions between Jenrick and Yusuf may be trickier to
mend. Calling on Reform to give Yusuf “the boot” last year, Jenrick had accused
him of deliberately liking an X post from an anonymous account attacking the
then Tory MP for having a Jewish wife and family.
Yusuf had
claimed it was liked “accidentally” by one of his team. Nevertheless, he was
also a notable absence at the event unveiling Jenrick at Reform HQ on Thursday.
Eyebrows were also raised when Farage – apparently half-jokingly – said that
Yusuf was particularly resentful towards MPs who had been part of recent
successive Tory governments.
“I’m
teaching him forgiveness,” the Reform leader added.
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