Overview
- Robert Jenrick left the Conservative Party to join Reform UK and was publicly welcomed by Nigel Farage on Thursday.
- Kemi Badenoch removed Jenrick after what the Mail on Sunday describes as a leaked media plan reached her before his move.
- The newspaper published excerpts in which Jenrick called himself “the new sheriff in town” and a leader-in-waiting, prompting Westminster talk over who leaked the documents.
- Reform figures claim further Tory MPs could defect and deputy leader Richard Tice says a Labour defector will “probably” be revealed on Tuesday, though none have been confirmed.
- Reform is setting a defections deadline of May 7 as supporters cast the move as a step up in professionalism and Conservatives weigh a response and possible reshuffle.