Nigel Farage has weighed in on speculation that former Conservative minister Robert Jenrick could jump ship to Reform UK, making it clear he’d be open to the idea—under one key condition. The Reform UK leader addressed the rumours, saying he’d welcome Jenrick but only if he “didn’t bring Tory Party infighting with him”.
His comments come as tensions within the Conservative Party continue to simmer following their election defeat last year. Farage’s remarks followed a joke from Labour commentator Paul Richards about Reform’s internal disputes after MP Rupert Lowe took a swipe at his leadership. Shrugging off the dig, Farage said: “I would welcome anybody that didn’t bring Tory infighting with them—all parties have it, so don’t encourage more!”
His response suggests he’s being cautious about high-profile defections, making it clear he doesn’t want the kind of political drama that has plagued the Tories spilling over into Reform UK. In a lighter moment, Farage revealed he’d already had a bit of fun with Jenrick over the idea of him switching sides, reported GB News.
“I did actually take the mickey out of Jenrick. I told him in one of the division lobbies that I could give him coaching if he wants to be me,” he laughed. The comment hints that the two politicians have remained in contact, despite their party differences, and suggests Farage sees Jenrick moving in a direction that aligns with his own stance.
Farage didn’t hold back in his assessment of Jenrick’s position within the Conservative Party, suggesting that his views don’t sit well with many of his colleagues. “I am absolutely convinced that what Jenrick says in public is what most Conservative backbenchers would disagree with,” he claimed.
His remarks suggest that Jenrick, once a rising star in the Tory ranks, may now find himself isolated, fuelling speculation that he could be considering a move to Reform UK.
Farage rounded off his assessment with a pointed remark about the current state of the Conservatives, arguing that the party is now dominated by its more centrist, liberal faction. “The one nation, Lib Dem element are very much in the majority of the parliamentary Conservative Party,” he said.
With Reform UK gaining traction and the Tories struggling to regain their footing, the question now is whether Jenrick—or any other Conservative MPs—will decide to take the leap and join Farage’s party. For now, it seems the door is open, but only if they leave the Westminster chaos behind.
