Kemi Badenoch, a leader within the Conservative Party, has declared that former party members who defected to Reform have no possibility of returning, characterizing them as "drama queens" and troublemakers. Her statement follows private overtures from some defectors seeking to reverse their move.
Badenoch told the Mail on Sunday that many individuals who joined Reform were previously the source of internal problems within the Conservative Party. "These types of people are in every business and organisation in the country – drama queens, always moaning and causing headaches for others," she stated, adding that "they have taken those problems with them to Reform."
Over the past year, the Conservative Party has experienced several high-profile defections to Reform, including former Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick and Danny Kruger. However, recent indications suggest that some defectors may be reconsidering their decision, possibly due to Badenoch's perceived success in boosting Conservative morale and Reform's performance in opinion polls.
Nigel Farage's Reform party is currently awaiting the outcome of a House of Commons standards inquiry regarding a £5 million undeclared donation and is still dealing with the impact of a recent by-election loss in Makerfield. Badenoch issued a clear message to any former Tories regretting their switch, asserting that politicians who leave when faced with difficulties will not be welcomed back.
"The Conservatives are now more united than we have been in decades. We are showing again that we are the party of common sense ready to take the tough decisions that will fix the country," Badenoch said. She further commented, "The country does not need weak politicians who drift wherever the wind blows."
Sources within Reform dismissed Badenoch's warning, reportedly likening her to the "Captain of the Titanic" and suggesting that any remaining Conservative members had "missed the deadline for a lifeboat."