The defection of former Conservative minister Robert Jenrick to Nigel Farage's Reform UK has exposed a significant rift within the party's membership, with reactions ranging from jubilation to outright hostility.
While the party leadership officially celebrated the acquisition of its most senior Tory recruit yet, the response from rank-and-file members on private social media groups was far more complicated. The move has sparked a fierce debate about the party's identity and strategy.
Grassroots Backlash and Cries of 'Enough Already'
Immediately following the news, which broke after Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch sacked Jenrick from the frontbench and removed the party whip for "plotting", a wave of discontent swept through Reform's online forums.
One member, James Scott, posted on a large private Facebook group: "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."
Another member threatened to leave the party immediately if Jenrick joined, highlighting the depth of feeling among some supporters who are deeply sceptical of welcoming figures from the Conservative establishment.
Supporters See an Asset in Government Experience
Despite the vocal opposition, many other Reform members welcomed the defection. On the same forums, contributors expressed excitement at gaining a "seasoned veteran of parliament".
Paul Rayner, posting on a public group celebrating Nigel Farage, said: "Fantastic news !! I am losing count of how many potential great future leaders are now in Reform."
Among Reform's elected local councillors, the mood was cautiously optimistic. Rory Green, a Reform member of Nottinghamshire county council – an area Jenrick represents as an MP – noted his experience as a barrister and former cabinet minister was a positive. A colleague, Dawn Justice, said Jenrick was "well liked".
Maxwell Harrison, a senior figure on Reform's Kent county council, declared the move a "massive moment in our movement’s history".
Unresolved Tensions and a Notable Absence
While Jenrick and Farage batted away questions from journalists about their past criticisms of each other, another, potentially trickier, internal conflict was hinted at.
Zia Yusuf – Reform’s head of policy – was a notable absence from the event unveiling Jenrick at Reform HQ on Thursday. The relationship between the two men is known to be difficult. Last year, Jenrick called for Yusuf to be given "the boot" after accusing him of deliberately liking a social media post attacking Jenrick for having a Jewish wife.
Yusuf had claimed the post was liked "accidentally" by a member of his team. Farage, addressing the tension, half-jokingly said Yusuf was resentful towards former Tory ministers and that he was "teaching him forgiveness".
Furthermore, Yusuf had signalled the grassroots concern a month prior, pledging on social media that party members would be prioritised for candidate selection over "failed former Tory MPs".
The defection, long speculated about in Reform circles, ultimately leaves Farage with the dual task of integrating a high-profile recruit while managing clear discontent within a portion of his party's base.
