The Deadline Approaches
Reform set the timetable now.
There is too much at stake.
Britain requires a massive overhaul on everything from taxation to borders, energy to law and order.
That is why some former senior Conservative MPs have defected to Reform.
Because tinkering around the edges, within the confines of the broken Labour-Tory outlook, is no longer enough.
The deadline has now been set: 7th May this year is the deadline for parliamentary defectors to join Reform.
May 2026 will be highly significant, as the elections taking place - the ones that aren’t cancelled - will determine the trajectory of the parties and party leaders ahead of the General Election.
There will be a huge set of elections in London, where Reform are now the main challenger to Labour.
Whilst in the Welsh Parliament elections, the polls indicate it will be a two-horse race between Reform and Plaid Cymru.
And in Scotland, we could well now see a straight battle between the SNP and Reform.
The Tories meanwhile are set to become more irrelevant everywhere than ever before.
So of course Reform should set a high bar for those seeking to defect.
Is it about principle or merely saving their own skin?
But Reformers should ultimately trust the judgement of Nigel Farage.
And the welcoming of Robert Jenrick into the Reform ranks has been followed by the defection of Andrew Rosindell, whose statement from last night is worth reading in full:
“This evening, with sorrow, I have decided to resign from my position as an Opposition Shadow Minister and as a member of the Conservative & Unionist Party.
“Since joining the Conservative Party at the age of 14, I have been a loyal and committed supporter of the principles advocated by Margaret Thatcher that have always underpinned my own political beliefs.
“However, the time has come to put country before party. The failure of the Conservative Party both when in government and more recently in opposition to actively hold the government to account on the issue of Chagossian self-determination and the defence of British sovereignty, represents a clear red line for me.
“Since entering Parliament in 2001, I have consistently argued, both from the backbenches and the frontbench, that the right of self-determination of the Chagossian people is sacrosanct, and that they alone should decide the future sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.
“Regrettably, these concerns have fallen on deaf ears. Both the government and the opposition have been complicit in the surrender of this sovereign British territory to a foreign power. This was made abundantly clear by the failure of Conservative peers to vote down the British Indian Ocean Territory Bill at third reading earlier this month, following direction from the top of the party.
“Sadly, I now believe that the Conservative Party is irreparably bound to the mistakes of previous governments and unwilling to take meaningful accountability for the poor decisions made over so many issues. Moreover, the views and concerns of constituents such as mine in Romford have been consistently ignored for far too long.
“Following a conversation earlier this evening with Nigel Farage M.P., I have therefore agreed to join Reform U.K. as its seventh Member of Parliament.
“It is clear to me that Reform U.K. is now the only political movement that is genuinely willing to fight for the best interests of the United Kingdom.
“The views and concerns of the majority of the British people must no longer be sidelined.
“Our country has endured a generation of managed decline. Radical action is now required to reverse the damaging decisions of the past and to forge a new course for Britain - one that firmly places the interests of the British people first.”
So once again Reform’s ranks are bolstered.
The verdict from previously long-standing senior members of the Conservative Party? That it simply isn’t up to the task anymore.
Some in Westminster who are delusional still seem to think that there is a Tory recovery underway.
That isn’t backed up by any recent election results.
In fact what is more likely to follow, rather than the Tories gaining seats, is more MPs defecting before the Farage deadline.
Tick tock.
The Government are considering using Chinese steel for the large project at Hinkley Point- because its cheaper. While British steel is on its knees due to Miliband's net zero.... Businessmen extraordinaire !!
I give credit to the Tories who see the failures and want to put it right. Regrettable they seem to be a minority group. I watched an interview of Suella Braverman on Triggernometry last year where she also disclosed she was opposed by the majority of her party when she wanted to leave the ECHR. The treacherous one nation types are utterly determined to prevent change.
It was obvious watching his YouTube videos Robert Jenrick was drifting away from them as well. Even if he won a.leadership race or replaced Kemi after the elections he'd have the same difficulty being opposed by the wet liberals so what was the point in sticking with them.
Then we find out last night that Geoffrey Cox has taken money from the Mauritian government for legal services in relation to surrendering sovereign territory. No wonder Andrew Rossindel resigned and defected. Anyone patriotic watching the Tories surrender our territory would have done the same. Wonder if Suella will follow her instincts and recognise trying to change that bunch of wet liberals is futile and follow them out the door.
The Tories that have seen the need for change should be welcomed, the wets like Rory Stewart, Anna Subery, Patel, Sunak etc are all a disgrace. If you have a conscience you abandon all of them and defect to Reform.....let's see who has a conscience and who doesn't.