Conservative MP Danny Kruger has defected to Reform UK, delivering a significant blow to the Tory party. Nigel Farage announced the move at a news conference, appointing Kruger as head of Reform's new unit preparing the party for government.
Kruger declared the Conservative Party "over as a national party" and "over as the principal opposition to the left". He told the conference: "The Conservative Party is over, over as a national party, over as the principal opposition to the left."
Historic political shift
According to City A.M., this marks the first time a sitting Conservative MP has defected to Reform UK in this Parliament. The move brings Reform UK's total parliamentary representation to five MPs, as reported by the Independent.
Kruger explained his decision stemmed from his belief that the "divided, discredited Conservative Party" cannot unite to win power. He revealed he began considering defection when Lee Anderson moved from the Conservatives to Reform in June 2024.
Conservative credentials questioned
The Devizes MP has served as a Conservative activist and politician for more than 20 years. City A.M. reports that Kruger previously managed Robert Jenrick's Conservative leadership campaign in 2024 and attended JD Vance's barbecue in the Cotswolds alongside Reform supporters.
Kruger insisted conservatism itself remains vital, saying: "The flame is passing from one torch to another." The Express describes him as a "philosophical powerhouse" and one of Kemi Badenoch's "best thinkers", making his departure particularly damaging for the Conservative Party.
Sources used: "Sky News", "City A.M.", "Independent", "Express" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
