Some supporters are concerned about the number of Conservatives being welcomed by their party, and fear it could alienate voters
If Reform UK was officially celebrating Robert Jenrick’s defection to Nigel Farage’s party, the reaction of the rank-and-file was an altogether more complicated one – ranging from jubilation to despair that yet another Tory was coming onboard.
“Enough already! Reform uk please take note, you are going to lose members and voters if you don’t cap this craziness … We don’t want a Tory party Pt II,” was the early response from James Scott, one of a number of members expressing their unhappiness on one of the largest private Reform Facebook groups.
After the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, broke the news that she was sacking her long-term rival from the frontbench and taking away the party whip for “plotting”, another Reform member commented: “Don’t do it, Nigel. If Jenrick joins Reform I’m done I am a member of the party but will leave immediately.”
Yet such hostility to Jenrick from Reform members appeared still to be in the minority, with the bulk of contributors to the same group and others rubbing their hands at the prospect of Reform chalking up its most senior Tory recruit yet.
