Kemi Badenoch has suggested that Tory MPs considering defecting from the party are “free to make other choices” and leave in a letter to backbenchers.
The Conservative Party leader also warned her MPs against “psychodrama” and people “undermining the party from within” as she sought to draw a line under the aftermath of Robert Jenrick’s defection.
She said recent departures from the party were “not about policy differences or ideology, they are about character” in her letter, sent on Monday.
“A party that is ruthlessly focused on being effective, holding the Government to account and creating a plan for the country cannot also spend its time on psychodrama and intrigue,” The Conservative leader wrote to MPs.
She added: “Differences of opinion are part of a healthy party. But there is a clear line between disagreement and trying to damage the party from within.”
“Those who cannot be part of a Conservative Party that is changing in this way are free to make other choices.”
It comes after she pre-emptively sacked Jenrick, her former shadow justice secretary last week, hours before he became the most high-profile Tory figure to switch allegiance to Reform UK.
His move was closely followed by Romford MP and ex-shadow foreign affairs minister Andrew Rosindell, who announced on Monday that he was also defecting to Nigel Farage’s party.
Rosindell cited what he described as the Conservatives’ “failure” on the issue of “Chagossian self-determination” as his reason for leaving.
Writing to MPs, Badenoch said: “Some of our former colleagues opining on social media seem to have taken these defections as a signal the party is shifting (or should) ideologically away from the right.
“That is a serious misreading of the situation. These defections are not about policy differences or ideology, they are about character.”
The Opposition leader insisted the defections were a “minor setback, not a defining moment” and told colleagues “it is now time to move on”.
She also sounded a note of caution about staffers, claiming “a small number of individuals” had been actively briefing “against the party” while presenting themselves as Conservative sources.
“I ask everyone to satisfy themselves that their staff are acting in line with our strategy and values. Undermining the party from within, whether by MPs or by staff, is unacceptable,” the party leader said.
Newark MP Mr Jenrick has said his former party “failed in government” and were “not sorry” for their record.
Your next read
square GREENLANDUK plots Nato security deal in Arctic to stop Trump trade war
square NEWSNato officials restrict intelligence to US over Trump threats
square RENTERS‘I paid £15,000 up front for student housing – the landlord tried to kick us out’
square MEDIA AnalysisAgatha Christie’s Seven Dials was mauled by critics – why Netflix doesn’t care
He has denied his move to Reform was based on personal ambition and insisted it was “uniting the right”.
Farage has suggested Reform will not accept any more defections after local elections on 7 May.
Hence then, the article about you are free to leave badenoch tells tory mps thinking of defecting was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( You are free to leave, Badenoch tells Tory MPs thinking of defecting )
Also on site :