Nigel Farage wins first sitting Tory MP defector as Danny Kruger joins Reform
MP declares ‘Conservatives are over’ and defects to Reform UK
- Danny Kruger, the sitting Conservative MP for East Wiltshire, has defected to Reform UK, marking the first time a current Tory MP has joined the party.
- Mr Kruger will lead Reform UK's preparations for government, a move that increases their parliamentary representation to five MPs.
- He justified his defection by citing a 'crisis in the economy, crisis at the border, crisis in our streets and a crisis in our military', asserting that Britain is “badly damaged”.
- The defection is considered a significant blow to Kemi Badenoch's leadership within the Conservative party and has prompted speculation about further potential defections.
- Mr Kruger, known for his conservative views and as the son of Prue Leith, had previously been involved in efforts to counter Reform within the Conservative party.