how many tory mps have defected to reform

Around 18 to 20 Tory MPs have defected to Reform UK as of mid-January 2026. Recent high-profile switches, like Robert Jenrick and Nadhim Zahawi, highlight a growing trend of Conservative politicians jumping ship to Nigel Farage's party amid internal Tory turmoil. This realignment reflects Reform's rising poll numbers and appeal to the right-wing base frustrated with Kemi Badenoch's leadership.

Latest Defectors

Robert Jenrick, former shadow justice secretary, defected on January 15, 2026, just after being sacked by Badenoch for plotting the move—he's now on Reform's front line team. Nadhim Zahawi, ex-Chancellor, joined around January 14, boosting Reform's heavyweight lineup. Others include Jonathan Gullis and Andrea Jenkyns, who landed a mayoral win post-defection.

Total Count Breakdown

Reports vary slightly due to ongoing shifts and definitions (sitting vs. former MPs):

• New Statesman (Jan 14) : 18 parliamentarians across Westminster, Senedd, and Scottish Parliament.

• ITV News (Jan 15) : More than 20 former Conservative MPs.

• BBC (Jan 14) : Around 20 former Tory MPs, with Reform holding 5 Westminster seats—all but one ex-Tory.

Source| Date| Count| Notes
---|---|---|---
New Statesman 3| 2026-01-14| 18| Includes non-Westminster; 11 seats now Reform-leaning
ITV 5| 2026-01-14| >20| Focus on MPs; calls them "has-beens" per Tories
BBC 7| 2026-01-14| ~20| Plus 20 new councillors, including Tory defectors

Why the Exodus?

Defections surged 462% in 2025, driven by Reform's polling edge—often leading Tories by double digits. Polls show 40-50% of Tory voters open to switching, viewing Reform as the "winning horse." Critics like Conservatives label it a "gravy train" for failed politicians, but defectors cite the Tories' "loss of touch" with voters on immigration and economy.

Trending Forum Buzz

Reddit threads like r/uknews and r/ukpolitics explode with lists and debate—users call Reform "Tory 0.1" or a "failed idea amplified," with 100+ comments per post. Speculation runs high on more jumps before May elections.

TL;DR : 18-20+ Tory MPs have defected to Reform by January 16, 2026, accelerating a right-wing realignment.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.