Andrew Rosindell has defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, becoming the second Tory MP to switch to Nigel Farage's party within a week. The move increases Reform UK's parliamentary strength to seven MPs and comes just days after Kemi Badenoch insisted she was "100% confident" no more shadow cabinet members would defect.
Rosindell, who has represented Romford since 2001, resigned his position as shadow foreign office minister and his Conservative Party membership. He follows Robert Jenrick, who made the jump to Reform on Thursday.
Chagos Islands Breaking Point
The long-serving MP cited the Conservative Party's handling of the Chagos Islands issue as his breaking point. Writing on X, Rosindell explained: "Since joining the Conservative Party at the age of 14, I have been a loyal and committed supporter of the principles advocated by Margaret Thatcher that have always underpinned my own political beliefs. However, the time has come to put country before party. The failure of the Conservative Party both when in government and more recently in opposition to actively hold the government to account on the issue of Chagossian self-determination and the defence of British sovereignty, represents a clear red line for me."
He described the Conservatives as "irreparably bound to the mistakes of previous governments and unwilling to take meaningful accountability for the poor decisions" and declared Reform UK "the only political movement that is genuinely willing to fight for the best interests of the United Kingdom."
Conservative Fury and Political Fallout
The defection triggered sharp criticism from Conservative sources. One party insider hit back: "The Conservative Party supported Rosindell throughout his many troubles, and he's responded by stabbing his friends, colleagues and activists in the back. Reform are welcome to him." The source suggested Rosindell had threatened defection for months while denying it publicly.
Nigel Farage welcomed the move, calling Rosindell "a great patriot" and stating: "The Tories' lies and hypocrisy over the Chagos Islands betrayal have tipped him over the edge, and we are delighted to welcome him to our ranks. He will be a great addition to our team ahead of the elections on May 7."
The timing proves particularly awkward for Badenoch, who recently stated she was "100% confident" no more shadow cabinet members would leave. After Rosindell's announcement, she told the Press Association that Reform UK's apparent May 7 deadline might reflect their own concerns: "I think people should be wondering why they set that deadline. Perhaps they're worried that they're not going to get anyone any more."
Cross-Party Reactions
Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley used the defection to attack both parties: "The stench of a failed and dying Tory party now engulfs Reform. The Conservatives left public services on their knees, and Nigel Farage is now unconditionally trying to rehabilitate their disastrous record. The public won't be fooled: the Tories failed Britain and Reform want to do it all over again."
The Liberal Democrats downplayed the significance. A party spokesperson dismissed the move as "a change of rosette for a career politician worried about getting a P45" rather than a political earthquake, adding: "The public are fed up hearing about how Britain is broken from the very same people who broke it."
The defections come ahead of crucial local elections on May 7, which will test public support for all parties.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
