Maria Caulfield defects to Reform as Nigel Farage claims another former Tory minister
Former health minister defects to Reform
- Former health minister Maria Caulfield has defected from the Conservative Party to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, declaring that "the future is Reform".
- Caulfield's defection is the thirteenth by a former Tory MP to Reform and occurred less than 24 hours after sitting Conservative MP Danny Kruger also switched allegiance.
- This latest departure places increased pressure on Kemi Badenoch, as it continues a trend of high-profile figures leaving the Conservative Party.
- Danny Kruger justified his move by citing multiple national crises, including in the economy, at the border, and within public services, and encouraged other Tory MPs to join Reform.
- Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride disagreed with Kruger's analysis, calling it "profoundly wrong" and highlighting the Conservative Party's ongoing efforts to regain public trust.