Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has issued a stark warning to her MPs, insisting the party must remain firmly on the political right despite a wave of high-profile defections to Reform UK.
Defections a 'Minor Setback' Not a Shift to Centre
In a lengthy letter to Conservative parliamentarians, seen by the Guardian, Badenoch addressed the departure of three figures in just one week. These included former cabinet minister Nadhim Zahawi, the recently sacked shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, and sitting MP Andrew Rosindell.
Badenoch dismissed suggestions that these losses signalled a move towards more centrist policies. "Some of our former colleagues opining on social media seem to have taken these defections as a signal that the party is shifting (or should) ideologically away from the right. This is a serious misreading of the situation," she wrote.
She described the events as a "minor setback, not a defining moment", arguing the departures were about character rather than policy. "We are THE party of the right and must remain so," she asserted.
Crackdown on Internal 'Undermining' and Intrigue
The Tory leader used the letter to deliver a firm message about internal discipline, warning against "psychodrama", "intrigue", and damaging splits. She claimed a small number of party staffers were briefing against the Conservatives while posing as loyal sources.
"I ask everyone to satisfy themselves that their staff are acting in line with our strategy and values," Badenoch instructed. "Undermining the party from within, whether by MPs or by staff, is unacceptable."
She was particularly scathing about Jenrick's conduct, revealing he had resolved to leave "some time ago" yet continued to attend shadow cabinet meetings. "Trust and teamwork are not optional in a serious political party that is looking to get into government," she stated.
Badenoch Predicts Trouble for Reform UK
Looking at her rivals, Badenoch predicted that acquiring defectors would create problems for Nigel Farage's Reform UK. She characterised the party as ideologically incoherent and populist, rather than a genuine centre-right force.
"Reform now has more internal contradiction and ideological incoherence. They are not a centre-right party," she wrote. "They are a populist party with one or two rightwing ideas overshadowed by a desire for big state solutions we simply cannot afford."
She suggested that taking on more defectors with "similarly incoherent outlooks" would cause issues for them soon. Rosindell's stated reason for leaving – opposition to the Chagos Islands sovereignty deal – was dismissed by Badenoch as not standing up to scrutiny.
Despite persistently poor national polling for the Conservatives, Badenoch's decisive action in sacking Jenrick and removing the party whip has been praised by colleagues, marking a rally in her recent fortunes. Her message to plotters was unequivocal: "Those who want to undermine or destroy the party will be dealt with firmly and fairly."
