Fareham locals left divided over Suella Braverman after defecting to Reform

In her first interview since joining Nigel Farage's party, Mrs Braverman told GB News she "won't be the last" to quit the Tories and join Reform.

She said: "I don't think I'm going to be the last one. I know there are a lot of unhappy Conservative MPs really searching their souls right now."

Expressing his concern over his MP's defection, one man told GB News: "It's difficult to put into words. I think the system of whereby one votes for a particular party through a general election and then they can just ditch the party and go somewhere else, it should not be allowed.

"And personally, I'd never thought a lot about her. I recently moved down here, and Andy Burnham was my sort of MP at the time, and I just don't like it on principle. I think it's awful, and where she's gone to is awful. And I've never liked her."

In complete contrast, another Fareham resident threw his support behind Mrs Braverman, declaring it is "absolutely brilliant".

He said: "It's the best thing she could have done, it's what Reform need right now, and it's hard luck to the Tories. Fareham needs Reform.

"It's the best thing she could have ever done. I think the Tories have tried to wipe her out and say bad things about her, but no, it's absolutely brilliant."

Also offering his support for the new Reform MP, another local said: "Suella, although I was circumspect about her being MP for Fareham when she first became that about 10 years ago, she has done a pretty good job as a Conservative MP.

"But the trouble is, the Conservative Party hasn't done a good job for her. And now it's a bit of an avalanche, isn't it? With Tories joining Reform.

"She's not actually crossed the floor, but she's just shuffled along a bit to the right. It'll be good for Fareham and it'll be good for the country."

Airing his concerns for the recent wave of Reform defections, one local called for a "rule change" when it comes to moving parties and holding by-elections.

He told GB News: "I think somebody needs to look at the rules of the game where the electorate can choose.

"They may choose a party they want and an MP has the choice to move, but you can't have that right away.

"I would have thought a by-election would have been a natural thing, and a natural rule change ought to come in.

"There's quite a few taking the same step, but historically, it's been the same. Reform is collecting a set of MPs with experience that I guess they need, because they are the main players for them so far, and they've obviously got that lack of experience."

Also concerned for the number of Tories jumping ship to Reform, another Fareham resident warned of voters being "turned away" from Reform if the party welcomes too many defectors.

She explained: "Anyone that moves to Reform I'm happy for, because for me, Reform is the group that we need in. We need them in.

"But the only problem I've got is too many Conservatives are going in, and I'm wondering if that will make people turn away from Reform. But, yeah, I'm happy with it."

Asked by Isobel if she believes Reform could end up becoming "another Tory party with a different name and leader", she responded: "I hope not. I hope Nigel will make sure it stays more right, and the people moving in, I reckon deep down they are more right in their thoughts anyway."

Heaping praise on Mrs Braverman, another constituent celebrated the move: "I'm very happy about it myself, it just means that we now have a Reform MP, which is good as far as I'm concerned.

"Everyone has their own opinions, but for me, it's fine. She's obviously got strong feelings about Reform and thinks they're going to be doing a lot of good."