Overview

• Sir Jake Berry has defected to Reform UK, becoming the second former Cabinet minister this week to join Nigel Farage’s party after ex-Welsh secretary David Jones.
• He said both major parties share responsibility for Britain’s decline and called Reform the “last chance” to pull the country back from terminal decline.
• Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch branded defectors as careerists likening them to “banana republic” politicians and said they are welcome to “jump ship” if they disagree with party values.
• Reform UK is targeting at least eight other former Conservative MPs to professionalise its campaign network ahead of key elections.
• Recent local election gains and widening poll leads over the Conservatives reinforce Reform’s positioning as the primary right-wing opposition.