Nigel Farage has heaped pressure on Kemi Badenoch to stave off a wave of defections to Reform UK after vowing to complete a "reverse takeover" of the centre-right.
The Reform UK leader, who has welcomed 18 top Tories into his ranks, ruled out any merger with Mrs Badenoch's Conservatives after Jonathan Gullis, Lia Nici and Chris Green crossed the floor on Monday.
“I would never do a deal with a party I don't trust. No deals, just a reverse takeover,” he said.
“A deal with them as they are would cost us votes."
Despite witnessing a deluge of defections under her watch, Mrs Badenoch dismissed fears of more Tories switching allegiances to Reform UK.
Speaking to GB News, the Conservative Party leader said: “I don't think so. Actually, there are a lot of people who jump from ship to ship, looking at who they think is going to win."
However, a Reform source told GB News: “It seems more and more Tories are jumping ship to Reform - and death by a thousand defections continues."
However, the insider pointed out Reform UK is not willing to accept all disgruntled Tories.
"We are only taking the ones who align with our values and ethos," the source said.
"Reform will never become a dumping ground for ‘any old Tories’ - only the best and the brightest will make the cut.”
So, who are the 13 top Tories still on defection watch?
Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch have traded barbs in recent weeks
|PA
Suella Braverman
Rael Braverman, Suella Braverman and Nigel Farage | RAEL BRAVERMANAge: 45
Seat: Fareham & Waterlooville - 2015 to present
Result in 2024: Won by 6,079 votes (Reform UK received 9,084 votes)
Political high point: Home Secretary and former Tory leadership contender
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
The former Home Secretary, whose husband Rael supports Reform UK, heaped praise on Nigel Farage just last month, hailing the Clacton MP as "courageous" and labelling him as the "heretic" she most admires. However, there has been speculation about Mrs Braverman joining Reform UK for months and she is yet to cross the floor.
Andrew Rosindell
Rumours started swirling around Westminster after Romford MP Andrew Rosindell was spotted at an election night party for newly-elected Reform UK councillor Russell Quirk in Brentwood, Essex | X/RUSSELL QUIRKAge: 59
Seat: Romford
Result in 2024: Won by 1,463 votes (Reform UK received 9,624 votes)
Political high point: Trade Envoy and national anthem campaigner
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
Andrew Rosindell, who was snapped alongside Reform councillor Russell Quirk ahead of the Conservative Party Conference, refused to rule out defecting. He instead told GB News: "I don't see Reform as our enemies. It's a split on the right, and we need to come together."
Sir John Hayes
Sir John Hayes vowed that he wanted to see the banners flying across Shropshire and Britain | GETTYAge: 67
Seat: South Holland & The Deepings
Result in 2024: Won by 6,856 votes (Reform UK received 10,606 votes)
Political high point: Transport Minister and leading figure in the Common Sense Group
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
Sir John Hayes said: “I am flattered that people are clamouring to get me to join them and I suppose that I should take that as a compliment that they are desperate to have me. But I was elected a Conservative MP and that’s what I intend to stay. My views and Reforms over lap to a huge degree but I was elected as a Conservative MP and people would expect me to stay that way.”
Lord Frost
Former Brexit negotiator Lord Frost said 'purpose of the Bill cannot be is to reduce trade barriers' | PAAge: 60
Seat: House of Lords
Result in 2024: NA
Political high point: Brexit Minister
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
Lord Frost has long called for closer ties between top Tories and Nigel Farage. Back in 2023, the ex-Brexit negotiator labelled the now-Reform UK leader a "natural part of the Conservative movement. Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference in October, Lord Frost called on Tory MPs to "stop rubbishing Reform".
Mark Pritchard
Tory MP Mark Pritchard | PARLIAMENT TVAge: 59
Seat: The Wrekin
Result in 2024: Won by 883 votes (Reform UK received 9,920 votes)
Political high point: Had a huge row with then-Speaker John Bercow
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
Back in 2014, Mark Pritchard said: “There was a time when I seriously considered it [joining Ukip]." However, when asked about any potential defection in July 2024, The Wrekin MP told GB News: "Nigel and I have known each other for years. There is not much to report, given our usual discussions, to date, have normally centred around our mutual love of cigars."
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg
Former Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg and his daughter Mary during the party's annual conference at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. | PAAge: 56
Seat: North East Somerset & Hanham
Result in 2024: Lost to Labour by 5,319 votes (Reform UK received 7,424 votes)
Political high point: Business Secretary
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has been an ally to Nigel Farage for more than a decade. He attended Reform UK's conference in September, later swerving the Conservative Party's bonanza in Manchester. Sir Jacob's 16-year-old daughter, Mary, has already defected to Reform. She told GB News: "Reform has all the momentum. I was very loyal to the Tories, but I met Nigel while doing work experience, and he had so much energy, so much passion, and I thought, this is a leader. However, Sir Jacob insisted: "I’m going to remain a Tory because I think it is fundamental that we bring the family of the right together."
Brendan Clarke-Smith
Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith resigned from his role as Deputy Chairman of the Tory Party | GB NEWS
Age: 45
Seat: Bassetlaw - 2019 to 2024
Result in 2024:: Lost to Labour by 5,768 votes (Reform UK received 9,751 votes)
Political high point: Cabinet Minister
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
“There’s more chance of me joining Westlife than Reform UK,” the then-Bassetlaw MP said in March 2024.
Tom Hunt
Ex-MP Tom Hunt was a leading member of the Covid Recovery Group and Common Sense Group
|PARLIAMENT
Age: 36
Seat: Ipswich 2019 to 2024
Result in 2024: Lost to Labour by 7,403 votes (Reform UK received 7,027 votes)
Political high point: Covid Recovery Group and Common Sense Group
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
Just weeks before the 2024 General Election, Tom Hunt said: “I will be standing as the Conservative candidate for Ipswich at the forthcoming General Election.
“It’s regrettable that we aren’t on the same side as Nigel Farage and Richard Tice.
“Ultimately we share many of the same views and concerns about the country and the impact that mass migration is having upon it.”
Nick Fletcher
Nick Fletcher believes the Tories will have no choice but to work with Reform UK at the next General Election
| PAAge: 53
Seat: Don Valley - 2019 to 2024
Result in 2024: Lost to Labour by 2,311 (Reform UK received 8,847 votes)
Political high point: Voted against censuring Boris Johnson after the Privileges Committee’s report and stood unsuccessfully as Mayor of Doncaster
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
Despite slamming Reform UK during his campaign to become Mayor of Doncaster, Nick Fletcher said: “There’s four years between now and the General Election. I do believe, at some point, there will be some work done between the Conservative Party and Reform.”
Robin Millar
Ex-Tory MP Robin Millar led the Conservative Union Research Unit
|ROBIN MILLAR/FACEBOOK
Age: 56
Seat: Aberconwy - 2019 to 2024
Result in 2024: Finished third, trailing first-place Labour by 4,972 votes (Reform UK received 6,091 votes)
Political high point: Headed up the Conservative Union Research Unit and served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
After losing his seat in the 2024 General Election, Robin Millar said that he "bore no ill will" to Reform UK candidates who "saw an opportunity and took it".
Mr Millar also accused the Conservative Party of failing to move to the Right, creating a disconnect between Tory voters and MPs.
Jane Stevenson
Jane Stevenson faced a grilling from Nigel Farage | GB News Age: 54
Seat: Wolverhampton North East - 2019 to 2024
Result in 2024: Lost to Labour by 5,422 votes (Reform UK received 7,721 votes)
Political high point: Resigned as a Junior Minister to rebel on an amendment to the Safety of Rwanda Bill
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
Speaking shortly after the 2025 Local Elections, Jane Stevenson told GB News: “I think when Kemi shows she’s fighting, she’s got real grit and proper conservative principles.”
Damien Moore
Damien Moore
|PARLIAMENT TV
Age: 45
Seat: Southport - 2017 to 2024
Result in 2024: Lost to Labour by 5,789 votes (Reform UK received 7,395 votes)
Political high point: Assistant Government Whip
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
Following defeat in the 2024 General Election, Damien Moore blamed Rishi Sunak rather than Nigel Farage for the Conservative Party’s catastrophic defeat.
He said: “Many of those who voted for me in the past say they’ve liked me personally – but they think the real main plank was the lack of leadership on the issue of illegal immigration.”
Miriam Cates
Ex-Tory MP Miriam Cates ruled out joining Reform UK last month
|PA
Age: 42
Seat: Penistone & Stocksbridge
Result in 2024: Lost to Labour by 8,739 votes (Reform UK received 9,456 votes)
Political high point: A stalwart of the Conservative Right, featuring in the National Conservatism Conference of 2023
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
In a 364-word blog post published earlier this year, Miriam Cates ruled out joining Reform UK because she is a “true conservative”, grateful to the support she received in the 2024 General Election campaign and again Reform UK’s “fantasy tax plan”.