Kemi Badenoch reacts on GB News as Nigel Farage’s Reform UK gains second Tory defection in 24 hours: ‘We will have a rough and bumpy time’

"Every leader regrets losing someone to another party," she stated, drawing parallels to previous defections when Labour enjoyed strong polling numbers last year.

The party leader acknowledged that some members might be drawn to other political movements based on current polling trends. She emphasised her commitment to maintaining strategic focus despite these setbacks.

Ms Badenoch candidly addressed the reality facing her party after what she described as a "historic defeat." She acknowledged that the Conservatives would experience "a very tough and bumpy time" before recovering their position.

The defections come as Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, continues to position itself as an alternative conservative force. Yesterday's announcement of Danny Kruger's departure was followed today by news that former health minister Maria Caulfield had also joined Farage's party.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• Another ex-Tory defects to Reform UK as former minister joins Nigel Farage's party
• Keir Starmer ‘losing patience’ with Chief of Staff after Lord Mandelson backing
• Nigel Farage on collision course with Ed Miliband's agenda as poll reveals surprising verdict

Despite these losses, Ms Badenoch maintained her determination to pursue her chosen course rather than react to immediate pressures.

"There will be some people who go to another party because of poll ratings," Badenoch explained during her GB News appearance. "I have to make sure I am very focused on the strategy."

She suggested that certain individuals might depart due to disagreements with new policies or her stance on fiscal responsibility. "Some will leave because they don't like the new policies or me saying we need to live in our means," she stated.

The Conservative leader characterised some departures as stemming from impatience with the party's recovery timeline. "There may be some people who are impatient. I am sorry if they don't want to wait and want to rush off to whatever is looking great right now," she remarked.

Ms Badenoch emphasised her commitment to a longer-term vision rather than responding to immediate political pressures. "I am looking at the long term. I will not be blown off by these events," she declared.

Her comments came as she addressed the loss of Danny Kruger, who announced his move to Reform UK yesterday, and Maria Caulfield, whose defection was revealed today.

Both departures represent significant losses for the Conservatives, with Kruger having served as a shadow minister under Ms Badenoch's leadership.

The party leader's response reflects her determination to maintain strategic direction despite mounting pressure from defections and challenging poll numbers.

Danny Kruger's departure yesterday marked the first sitting Conservative MP to join Reform UK.

The East Wiltshire politician, who had served on the Tory frontbench as shadow work and pensions minister, announced his decision at a press conference where he declared: "The Conservative Party is over, over as a national party, over as the principal opposition to the Left."

Kruger, who had been a Conservative activist and MP for over two decades, described his defection as "very painful" but necessary. He praised Badenoch personally, saying she had performed "a very, very difficult job with courage and resilience," whilst maintaining that "the problem is the Conservative Party" itself.

Today's revelation that Maria Caulfield, the former MP for Lewes who lost her seat in last year's election, had joined Reform UK a month ago compounds the pressure on Badenoch. The former health minister told GB News: "If you are conservative right-minded, then the future is Reform."

Shadow chancellor Mel Stride defended the party against Mr Kruger's assessment, calling him "profoundly wrong" to suggest the Conservatives were finished.

He acknowledged the party's "devastating defeat" but insisted they were now holding the Government "ruthlessly" to account as part of rebuilding public trust.