Reform last night gained its seventh MP as former Tory Shadow Minister Andrew Rosindell defected to join Nigel Farage, reports BritPanorama.
The Romford MP had been affiliated with the Conservatives since the age of 14, previously serving as Shadow Minister for Home Affairs from 2007 to 2010.
Rosindell is the second Tory to switch parties in less than a week, following ex-Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick’s recent exit.
He cited the surrender of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius as the decisive factor in his decision to leave the Conservative Party. Negotiations regarding this contentious agreement began under the previous government but were finalised during the Labour administration.
“I have consistently argued, both from the backbenches and the frontbench, that the right of self-determination of the Chagossian people is sacrosanct, and that they alone should decide the future sovereignty of the Chagos Islands,” Rosindell stated. “Regrettably, these concerns have fallen on deaf ears. Both the government and the opposition have been complicit in the surrender of this sovereign British territory to a foreign power.”
In response to Rosindell’s move, Nigel Farage expressed his support, describing the defected MP as a “great patriot.” He remarked, “The Tories’ lies and hypocrisy over the Chagos Islands betrayal has tipped him over the edge, and we are delighted to welcome him to our ranks.” Farage has also set a deadline of May 7 for any further Tory defections, after which he will not accept any more former or current Conservative politicians into the party.
This shift in political allegiance occurs amidst local elections where both the Conservative and Labour parties are anticipating significant losses nationwide. The timing follows Jenrick’s recent critical remarks aimed at his former colleagues after announcing his transition to Reform.
Interestingly, only a few months back, Jenrick had publicly dismissed Farage, stating, “I don’t think Nigel is the bloke you want running your kids’ schools.” Now, he claims to be “proud to join” Reform, indicating his belief that the Conservative Party is unable to address pressing national issues.
The implications of these defections reflect ongoing discontent within the Conservative Party and signal a potential reshaping of political alliances in the UK, further complicating the landscape ahead of key local elections.
This development underlines the shifting dynamics within British politics, highlighting the fractures among established parties as new movements gain momentum.
