Badenoch delivered another blow as Tory MP defects to Reform

The Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has been delivered another blow as sitting MP Danny Kruger has defected to Reform UK.

The MP for East Wiltshire was Badenoch’s last hope as he is held in high regard and is a powerhouse.

At a press conference Kruger said on Monday he will help Reform to prepare for government and he described his defection as “personally painful” and warned the Tory Party is “over.”

Kruger said, “We have had a year of stasis and drift and the sham unity that comes from not doing anything bold or difficult or controversial and the result is in the polls.

“And those voters aren’t coming back, and every day, more and more people are joining them in deserting the party that has failed.”

He is urging other Tories to defect to Reform, he said, “I would hope that colleagues who share my view about the crisis the country is in and the opportunity that Reform offers to save our country.”

However, he acknowledged he has “no idea” if other Conservative MPs are in discussions to defect to Nigel Farage’s party.

Wiltshire County Council’s Conservative group leader Richard Clewer said Kruger defecting to Reform is “disappointing.”

He said that the Tories “hasn’t changed significantly from the position it went into the last election.”

Kruger said, “Our mission is not just to overthrow the current system, it is to restore the system we need.”

Kruger said that Reform UK has no “track record” in office, however, they are starting the “process of getting serious as a government in waiting.”

He added, “It won’t be a series of soundbites in a manifesto. It’ll be a properly worked out plan with a serious legislative programme and a programme of change in the system itself.

“And I hope that that will convince serious-minded voters, including in the mainstream, in the centre of politics, who want to get shot of this failing Labour Government.”