Sir Jake Berry has become the sixth former Tory MP to defect to Reform UK, GB News breaks down who could be the next Conservative bigwigs to join Nigel Farage’s ranks.
Reform UK activist Tim Montgomerie, who co-founded Conservative Home and was a long-standing foot soldier for the Tory Party, yesterday admitted that more defections could soon follow.
“I think there will be bigger ones [defections than Berry’s]. I think there are bigger defections to come that will rock the Conservative Party.”
Sharing insight from inside his former political world, Montgomerie added: “I have regular conversations with Tory MPs/peers and ex-Tory MPs who wish to defect.
“I also talk a lot to Reform Central about which ones would benefit the cause and those that wouldn't.”
But who are the former MPs who have joined Reform UK and who could be among the next crop of top Conservatives to cross the floor?
Lee Anderson - 'All I want is my country back' - March 2024
Lee Anderson speaks at Reform rallyPAAndrea Jenkyns - 'Joining the party of the brave' - November 2024
Tice has called the Greater Lincolnshire mayoral election for Dame Andrea JenkynsPAAidan Burley - 'Death by a thousand defections' - December 2024
Ex-Conservative MP Aidan Burley has joined Reform UKX/NIGEL_FARAGEMarco Longhi - 'I am a patriot and I finally feel at home' - January 2025
Marco Longhi joined Reform UK on FridayPARoss Thomson - 'I’m convinced we will cause an earthquake at Holyrood' - June 2025
Ross Thomson with Donald Trump
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David Jones - 'Reform UK is the party that best represents my views' - July 2025
Former Welsh Secretary David Jones switched to Nigel Farage's populist Party on MondayPAJake Berry - 'Our last chance to pull Britain back from terminal decline' - July 2025
Jake Berry defended his defection to Reform UK from the Tories, claiming Britain is 'broken'GB NEWS
And who could soon follow?
Earlier this year, GB News revealed that Reform UK had been attracting Tory bigwigs courtesy of Farage's existing relationships with veteran Brexiteers.
Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf told the People's Channel: “We have seen huge growth in those seeking to defect to Reform, despite no outreach efforts. This is because they can see Reform is finally breaking the two old parties’ stranglehold on British politics and are willing to stand up for British people.”
A Reform UK source added: “They’re coming to us. We’re not going to take everyone but they’re just as fed up as the country is.”
But with Farage's political crusades - both at Ukip and Reform UK - being propelled by defections, GB News has been taking a look at the three big names on CCHQ's defection watch list.
Suella Braverman
Rael Braverman, Suella Braverman and Nigel FarageRAEL BRAVERMANAge: 45
Experience: Ex-Home Secretary
Majority: 6,079 in Fareham & Waterlooville
Brexit: Leave
Political faction: European Research Group
Edward Leigh
Father of the House Sir Edward Leigh speaking during the debate of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillPAAge: 74
Experience: Father of the House
Majority: 3,532 in Gainsborough
Brexit: Leave
Political faction: Common Sense Group
Jack Rankin
Windsor MP Jack RankinGB NEWSAge: 32
Experience: Fresh-faced Tory
Majority: 6,457 in Windsor
Brexit: Leave
Political faction: Conservative Migration Critic