Overview

• Danny Kruger, the MP for East Wiltshire and a shadow work and pensions minister, became the first sitting Conservative MP to join Reform UK in this parliament.
• Reform said Kruger will lead its new unit preparing for government, a role unveiled at a Westminster press conference where he declared the Conservative Party "over."
• His switch takes Reform’s tally to five MPs, which party leaders hailed as evidence of momentum following months in which Reform has topped some national polls.
• Kruger said he informed Conservative chief whip Rebecca Harris on Monday but did not speak to party leader Kemi Badenoch, who insisted she will not be blown off course.
• Local Conservative figures called on Kruger to resign and trigger a by-election, while Labour said the move ties Nigel Farage to the Tories’ record; Kruger indicated he will continue as MP without a contest.