Kemi Badenoch should prepare for more defections to Reform UK after the Tory Party tightened its candidate selection processes, ex-Conservative MPs have warned.
Eleven former Tory MPs have already jumped ship to join Nigel Farage's Reform UK, including ex-Welsh Secretary David Jones and former Conservative Party chairman Sir Jake Berry.
However, more could soon follow after ex-Tory MPs were told that they would not be given preferential treatment to stand in the 2029 General Election.
The Conservative Party had previously granted ex-MPs so-called "second acts", with Michael Portillo’s 1999 by-election comeback and Esther McVey’s return in 2017 becoming notable examples.
However, after preliminary forms landed in ex-MPs' inboxes, a number of former Tory parliamentarians warned that Reform UK could soon have a number of Conservatives knocking at their door.
One ex-Tory MP told GB News: “The temptation to jump ship and join Reform is a real option for some former Conservative MPs.
“With all former MPs having to reapply to CCHQ with no special dispensation being offered for their previous service, some are saying that’s a step too far and are exploring Reform where, they believe, they will be welcomed with open arms.”
Another ex-MP added: “This looks like an attempt to restrict which ex-MPs can stand again.
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Nigel Farage could soon have more ex-Tory MPs knocking on Reform UK's door
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“But I’ve no confidence in CCHQ’s judgment about who should return — it’s always the same tired liberals, while genuine conservatives and those with personality are frozen out.
“After the General Election hammering, you’d expect a rethink, but the lessons clearly haven’t been learnt.
“The idea of a ‘clean slate’ sounds good in theory, but who seriously is going to want to stand for them? The Party still acts like it holds all the cards, when in reality it’s on a deathward spiral.”
A third former MP, who is far from Reform-sympathetic, told the People’s Channel: “I think it’s incredibly likely, particularly for my more egotistical ex-colleagues.”
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GB News also understands that ex-MPs were left particularly infuriated by the tone of the letter, describing it as “daft”, “tactless” and even “offensive”.
However, polling suggests that Reform UK should be careful when it comes to accepting ex-Tory MPs into Mr Farage's inner circle.
Polling conducted by Ipsos in May revealed that one-third of Britons would view Reform UK more negatively if ex-Prime Minister Liz Truss defected, with just 13 per cent supporting such a move.
Meanwhile, a slightly lower proportion opposed ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick joining Reform UK, down to 28 per cent and 24 per cent respectively.
GB News understands that Ms Truss is among the former Tory MPs barred from joining Reform UK.
“We aren’t going to take everyone who wants to join,” an insider said. “Some just aren’t for us.”
Polling suggests that Liz Truss, Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick could have a negative impact if they defected to Reform UK
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Mr Farage has been open about how Tories can join Reform UK, stressing the party will not accept Conservatives looking for a career boost.
Speaking to GB News last month, the Clacton MP said: "If people are coming to Reform because they see it, simply, as the best life raft for their political careers, then I'm not interested.
"But if they're coming to Reform because they really believe in what we're trying to do, they really believe that our country is in deep and desperate trouble, and it needs to be turned around, and they want to be part of that project, and them coming to us adds [to that project], then the door is open."
However, some Conservatives fear ex-MPs have already started plotting a switch to Reform UK before the rules changes were introduced by CCHQ.
“Those that are minded to run to Reform are already working on that,” one former Tory MP said.
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The full set of former Tory MPs who have defected to Reform UK
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Another added: “It’s a small and particular cohort of folk who are very cross.”
Lee Anderson became the first bolt from the blue in March 2024 after the Ashfield MP crossed the floor to become Reform UK’s first sitting member in the House of Commons.
Lucy Allan, Mark Reckless, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Aidan Burley, Marco Longhi, David Jones, Ross Thomson, Anne Marie Morris, Sir Jake Berry and Adam Holloway soon followed, leaving the Tories vulnerable to even more defections.
However, other ex-Tory MPs appeared to support CCHQ’s decision to tighten rules around selecting candidates.
A top Tory said: “It’s extremely presumptuous for any former MP to think they should get an easy pass back as a candidate.
“Two-thirds lost their seats, much due to poor leadership, but in many cases owing to personal behaviour. The party needs fresh blood.”
Ex-Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski also told GB News: "The Conservative parliamentary party from 2019 to 2024 was a total shambles. It behaved in the most undisciplined way that I have ever experienced in the 20 years that I was a Member of Parliament.
"We can blame our leaders - Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak - but we also have to analyse and assess the parliamentary party at the time."
Mr Kawczynski, who is now seeking to run as a councillor in Pimlico, added: "Former MPs will have to now justify the role that they played, or may not have played, in the total collapse of party discipline in the dying days of the Conservative narrative... it will be very tough for every single Tory who is re-applying because, collectively, we contributed to the worst defeat in our party's history."
However, Mr Kawczynski also stressed that ending "second acts" for ex-Tory MPs will provide an opportunity for a "highly articulate new generation of Conservatives coming to the fore", adding: "Why should they be restricted by letting a lot of the old boys back in?"
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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage during a recent press conference | PAIn a swipe at those considering a switch to Reform UK, a Tory source also told GB News: “They may try Reform and good luck to them but there is increasing resistance to Reform becoming a refuge for failed Tories.”
However, a senior Reform UK insider dismissed speculation that Mr Farage will accept a huge number of defectors.
“Reform has no room for deadbeat, failed Tories,” the Reform source told GB News. "They ruined the country. Reform is the future.”
Another Reform UK source said: "The truth is that there are very few sitting or past Tory MPs who would be welcome. Switchers are definitely considered case-by-case."
GB News has approached the Conservative Party and Reform UK for comment.