London has its first Reform UK MP after Andrew Rosindell announced he was leaving the Conservatives to join Nigel Farage’s party.
In a further blow to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, the shadow Foreign Office minister became the second MP to defect to Reform this week.
It comes after ex shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick was sacked when his “plot” to defect was discovered by Ms Badenoch on Thursday, and brings the party’s number of MPs up to seven.
Romford MP Mr Rosindell said he had decided to resign from his position in Ms Badenoch’s frontbench and as a member of the Conservative Party.
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.
— Andrew Rosindell MP 🇬🇧🏴 (@AndrewRosindell) January 18, 2026
Since joining the Conservative Party at the age of 14, I have been a loyal and committed supporter of the principles… pic.twitter.com/hbOSPRezCw
He wrote on X: “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.”
He said he believed the Tories were “irreparably bound to the mistakes of previous governments and unwilling to take meaningful accountability for the poor decisions” they made.
He said he spoke to Mr Farage on Sunday evening and agreed to join his party.
I am delighted to welcome @AndrewRosindell to Reform UK.
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) January 18, 2026
Andrew is a great patriot. The Tory lies and hypocrisy over the Chagos Islands betrayal tipped him over the edge.
He will be a great addition to our May 7th campaign. pic.twitter.com/azbw2a36yj
“It is clear to me that Reform UK is now the only political movement that is genuinely willing to fight for the best interests of the United Kingdom,” he said.
“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.”
Mr Farage said: “Andrew is a great patriot. The Tories’ lies and hypocrisy over the Chagos Islands betrayal has tipped him over the edge, and we are delighted to welcome him to our ranks.
“He will be a great addition to our team ahead of the elections on May 7th.”
Mr Farage has welcomed a number of former senior Tories into his ranks, including ex Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, Scottish Conservative life peer Malcom Offord and former culture secretary Nadine Dorries.
Reform have set May 7 – the date of crucial local elections in which they hope to make significant gains – as a cut-off point for admitting current and former MPs, as well as for local councillors to defect.
Mrs Badenoch said in recent days that she was “100% confident” she would not see any more of her shadow cabinet leave for Reform.
Asked if she would be on alert for MPs seeking to switch sides before the elections, Mrs Badenoch told the Press Association: “I think people should be wondering why they set that deadline.
“Perhaps they’re worried that they’re not going to get anyone any more.”
Responding to Mr Rosindell’s defection, Anna Turley, Labour Party Chair, said: “The stench of a failed and dying Tory Party now engulfs Reform.
“The Conservatives left public services on their knees, and Nigel Farage is now unconditionally trying to rehabilitate their disastrous record. The public won’t be fooled: the Tories failed Britain and Reform want to do it all over again.
"Only Labour is delivering on the priorities of the British people - cutting the cost of living, bringing down waiting lists, and restoring pride back in communities.”
