The defection of former Conservative minister Robert Jenrick to Reform UK significantly increases the party's chances of winning the next general election, according to its head of policy, Zia Yusuf.
A Defection That Changes the Game
Robert Jenrick was dismissed as shadow justice secretary and suspended from the Conservative Party this week after leader Kemi Badenoch accused him of plotting to defect. Mr Jenrick has since conceded he was already "resolved" to switch to Nigel Farage's party before being ousted.
Speaking on Sky News' Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Mr Yusuf revealed he had dined with Mr Jenrick on the day of his defection. He described the former Tory as "thoughtful" and "clear-eyed about all of the different ways the Tories betrayed this country."
"I also think it’s crystal clear that him arriving at Reform makes it more likely that we win the next general election," Mr Yusuf stated, calling the move a "really important milestone" for the party's aim to turn the country around.
Political Tensions and Accusations Fly
The defection has ignited a fierce war of words across the political spectrum. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy declined to confirm or deny reports that she had warned colleagues of a potential "fascist" government under Nigel Farage.
Ms Nandy, referencing her mixed-race background, told the same programme she had "seen this playbook before where people try to scapegoat and demonise other people." She added that the real responsibility for the country's problems lay with "the people that he’s welcoming with open arms to his own party."
When pressed on using the term "fascist," she responded: "If it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, in my experience, it usually is a duck."
Reform Hits Back and Rules Out Pact
Zia Yusuf strongly criticised Ms Nandy's remarks, arguing that using such language "makes politics in this country even more dangerous than it is." He turned the accusation back on the Labour government, citing:
- The cancellation of elections for approximately 7.5 million people.
- Plans to withdraw the right to jury trials.
- "Unprecedented" political attacks by the Attorney General.
Mr Yusuf also firmly ruled out any electoral pact with the Conservatives, asserting that "there isn’t space for two centre-right parties in this country."
The controversy adds another layer to the pair's history, as Mr Jenrick said last July that Reform should give Mr Yusuf "the boot" after an aide allegedly liked an antisemitic post online. Mr Yusuf later apologised when an anonymous user posted a video appearing to show him liking a tweet attacking Mr Jenrick's wife, who is Jewish.
