The defection of senior Tories Robert Jenrick and Nadhim Zahawi to Reform UK has prompted both jubilation and soul-searching among the rank-and-file of Nigel Farage’s party.
The high-profile, if hurried, unveiling of Jenrick as Reform’s latest recruit on Thursday came amid concern among some Farage supporters that the party is at risk of tarnishing its mould-breaking image by welcoming too many Conservative big beasts into its ranks.
Many Reform councillors and members have shared support for the arrival of Jenrick, who was accused by his former Tory colleagues of “plotting in secret” to join Farage’s party, and Zahawi, a former Chancellor under Boris Johnson.
But while there was acceptance of party leader Farage’s argument that Reform needs to reassure voters that it would have ministers with prior experience of government should it win the next election, some said they were concerned at the risk of being seen as a “Tory tribute act”.
‘Time is ticking’
One Reform councillor in Kent, who asked not to be named, told The i Paper: “[Jenrick] is a serious politician and of any of the Tories that we would have wanted to come over, he was top of my list. But we have to be careful now with not looking like a rest home for Conservative ex-ministers who have seen the light.
“We’ve got this far by not being a Tory tribute act and we don’t want to change that now.”
Other Reform councillors voiced their support for an announcement by Farage and Reform policy head Zia Yusuf that the party would accept no more Conservative defections after the elections in Scotland, Wales and England on 7 May.
Bayleigh Robinson, a Reform councillor in Saltfleet, Lincolnshire, said “time is ticking” for further defections. He tweeted: “We need experience and people that have the conviction to stand up… So I welcome Robert Jenrick to the party, but the time is ticking. No more after 7th May!”
It is a concern among party ranks which Yusuf acknowledged prior to this week’s events. Speaking last month, he said: “I’ve had many messages from Reform grassroots worried about former Tory MPs joining our party. I want to be clear to our Reform grassroots: YOU will be prioritised in candidate selection for our next class of MPs, NOT failed former Tory MPs.”
Transition from insurgency to ‘party of government’
Reform, which remains comfortably ahead of both Labour and the Conservatives in the polls, underlined this week that it is not just benefiting from high-profile defections from Conservative ranks.
It unveiled a list of 20 councillors – 14 Conservatives, five independents and one Green – who have jumped ship to join Reform in recent weeks.
But opinions are split within Reform about its transition from a political insurgency towards a party increasingly asking voters to judge whether it can form a government.
Annie May O’Neill, a Reform councillor in Ongar, Essex, tweeted: “Delighted to hear that Robert Jenrick has joined Reform UK. His move reflects a growing realignment on the British right, with increasing convergence around sovereignty, and institutional reform. This marks a significant moment to consolidation of right-wing politics.”
Others, however, were less impressed. One Reform supporter, writing on a public Facebook group celebrating Farage, said: “Rename Reform to conform – don’t trust these Tories”.
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Another party member, writing on a private Reform Facebook chat, said: “Enough already! Reform UK please take note, you are going to lose members and voters if you don’t cap this craziness… We don’t want a Tory party Pt II.”
Elsewhere, there was a call for realism among Reform supporters about the strictures of converting protest politics into holding power.
Paul Williams, the owner of a plumbing company in Kent, wrote: “Reform are preparing for government. As nice as it might be to have a government with 100 per new faces, the adjustment period would take too long.
“An experienced team with the Reform mandate is more sensible… Personally, I used to vote Labour, now Tories and Reform in next election, so would be fine with MPs having a similar change.”
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