Overview
- Andrew Rosindell resigned as a shadow foreign office minister and joined Reform UK, citing the Chagos Islands sovereignty dispute as his reason.
- His move gives Reform seven MPs in the Commons and delivers the party its first MP in London through the Romford seat.
- The defection follows Robert Jenrick’s switch last week, as Reform sets 7 May as the cut-off for accepting further defectors.
- Kemi Badenoch criticized the departures and warned MPs who try to undermine the Conservatives will be dealt with firmly.
- Reform figures reject any pact with the Conservatives and argue Jenrick’s arrival strengthens their prospects at the next general election.