Suella Braverman Defects to Reform UK, Accusing Conservatives of Betrayal on Core Policies
Former home secretary joins Nigel Farage’s party amid mounting criticism of the Conservative leadership and internal turmoil
Former Conservative Party home secretary Suella Braverman has formally defected to Reform UK, accusing her former party of persistent betrayal on key conservative priorities, particularly immigration and national security.
The move was announced at a press conference alongside Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, where Braverman said she felt she had ‘‘come home’’ and criticised the Conservatives for failing to deliver decisive policy outcomes that she regards as vital to Britain’s future.
Her defection comes amid a broader exodus of senior Conservatives to Reform UK and reflects growing pressures within the right-of-centre political landscape.
Braverman, who has represented Fareham and Waterlooville since 2015, has been a longstanding critic of successive Conservative leaderships’ handling of immigration, law-and-order issues and membership of the European Convention on Human Rights.
In her remarks, she accused the Conservative leadership of lacking the courage and resolve to tackle what she describes as ‘‘the great betrayals’’ of the British people, reinforcing her alignment with Reform UK’s more hard-line stances.
Her voice is now part of a cohort that brings the party’s tally to eight Members of Parliament in the House of Commons.
The defection briefly sparked controversy after the Conservative Party issued and then retracted an initial statement that inappropriately referenced Braverman’s ‘‘mental health’’ as a factor in her departure.
The party later apologised and corrected the statement, removing the mental health claim that had drawn widespread condemnation across political lines.
Reform UK figures, including Farage, condemned the original comment as ‘‘abusive’’ and underscored their support for Braverman.
Political opponents from Labour and the Liberal Democrats seized on the defection as evidence of fragmentation within the Conservative ranks and questioned Reform UK’s strategy of absorbing high-profile defectors.
However, Reform UK has embraced Braverman’s experience and profile, presenting her addition as a strengthening of its parliamentary presence ahead of key local elections.
The realignment highlights deepening fault lines in British politics as established parties grapple with internal dissent, shifting voter preferences and debates over national priorities.
The move was announced at a press conference alongside Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, where Braverman said she felt she had ‘‘come home’’ and criticised the Conservatives for failing to deliver decisive policy outcomes that she regards as vital to Britain’s future.
Her defection comes amid a broader exodus of senior Conservatives to Reform UK and reflects growing pressures within the right-of-centre political landscape.
Braverman, who has represented Fareham and Waterlooville since 2015, has been a longstanding critic of successive Conservative leaderships’ handling of immigration, law-and-order issues and membership of the European Convention on Human Rights.
In her remarks, she accused the Conservative leadership of lacking the courage and resolve to tackle what she describes as ‘‘the great betrayals’’ of the British people, reinforcing her alignment with Reform UK’s more hard-line stances.
Her voice is now part of a cohort that brings the party’s tally to eight Members of Parliament in the House of Commons.
The defection briefly sparked controversy after the Conservative Party issued and then retracted an initial statement that inappropriately referenced Braverman’s ‘‘mental health’’ as a factor in her departure.
The party later apologised and corrected the statement, removing the mental health claim that had drawn widespread condemnation across political lines.
Reform UK figures, including Farage, condemned the original comment as ‘‘abusive’’ and underscored their support for Braverman.
Political opponents from Labour and the Liberal Democrats seized on the defection as evidence of fragmentation within the Conservative ranks and questioned Reform UK’s strategy of absorbing high-profile defectors.
However, Reform UK has embraced Braverman’s experience and profile, presenting her addition as a strengthening of its parliamentary presence ahead of key local elections.
The realignment highlights deepening fault lines in British politics as established parties grapple with internal dissent, shifting voter preferences and debates over national priorities.
