Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, has defected from the Conservative Party to join Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform UK. The move follows a controversial statement by the Conservatives linking her departure to mental health, which the party later retracted.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
Braverman, a prominent figure in the Conservative Party, announced her defection at a Reform UK rally in London, where she accused the Conservatives of lying to voters on immigration and other issues. Meanwhile, the Conservatives initially claimed her departure was linked to mental health struggles, a statement they later withdrew amid widespread criticism.
Deeper Dive & Context
Braverman’s Defection and Political Impact
Braverman’s move marks the third high-profile Conservative defection to Reform UK in recent weeks, following Robert Jenrick and Andrew Rosindell. She becomes the eighth MP in the party, which remains a small but growing force in British politics. Polls suggest Reform UK is currently ahead of both Labour and the Conservatives, though a national election is not expected until 2029.
At the Reform rally, Braverman described Britain as “broken” and accused the Conservatives of betraying their promises, particularly on immigration and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). She also expressed emotional attachment to her new party, stating, “I feel like I’ve come home.”
Conservative Party’s Controversial Statement
The Conservatives initially issued a statement suggesting Braverman’s defection was connected to her mental health, claiming they had tried to support her. The statement was widely condemned by MPs, peers, and mental health charities as insensitive and inappropriate. The party later retracted the claim, calling it an error.
Critics, including Labour MP Sojan Joseph, described the comments as “appalling” and warned that conflating political defection with mental illness trivializes serious health issues. A Reform source also dismissed the claim as “not true,” emphasizing that Braverman has never been diagnosed with a mental health condition.
Reform UK’s Growing Influence
Braverman’s defection underscores the momentum Reform UK has gained in recent months, attracting disaffected Conservatives and positioning itself as a major challenger to the two-party system. However, some Labour MPs have warned that voting for Reform could simply result in a “Tory replay,” led by former Conservatives like Braverman and Jenrick.
Nigel Farage has set a deadline of 7 May for any further defections, aiming to avoid a perception of a gradual, needy trickle of new members. The party now includes several former Conservative MPs with high-level experience, including cabinet ministers and Downing Street advisers.
Reactions and Next Steps
Reactions to Braverman’s defection have been mixed. Some Conservatives, like former MP Nigel Evans, called the party’s initial statement an “absolute disgrace,” while others, like Tory peer Stewart Jackson, suggested it could cost the party votes. Labour, meanwhile, has focused on internal disputes, allowing Reform’s rise to dominate political discourse.
The next steps for both Reform UK and the Conservatives remain uncertain. Farage must now manage his growing team effectively, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch faces the challenge of stemming further defections. Analysts speculate that several more Conservative MPs may be considering joining Reform in the coming weeks.