Suella Braverman defects from Conservatives to Reform UK, deepening crisis on the right

Suella Braverman has defected from the Conservative Party to join Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, a move that has sent shockwaves through Westminster and intensified questions about the future of Britain’s political right. The former home secretary announced her decision on January 26, 2026, marking the third high-profile Tory defection to Reform in just eleven days.

Suella Braverman announces defection at Reform UK event

Suella Braverman revealed her decision at a “Veterans For Reform” event in London, where she was welcomed by Reform figures and a crowd of former servicemen and women. Addressing the audience, she said she felt she had “come home” and confirmed she was resigning the Conservative whip and ending her 30-year party membership to join Reform UK.

She described feeling “politically homeless” for nearly two years and cited an erosion of trust with the Conservatives, particularly over Brexit and immigration. According to reports, she said she believed “with my heart and soul that a better future is possible” through Reform UK.

Criticism of the Conservative Party and key policy disputes

In her speech, suella braverman accused the Conservative Party of betrayal, pointing to what she described as broken promises on Brexit, out-of-control immigration, and high taxation. She argued that public services were under severe strain and that people no longer felt safe.

She also criticised the Conservatives’ stance on the European Convention on Human Rights, saying the party had no real intention of leaving despite strong rhetoric. Nigel Farage echoed her claims, arguing that previous governments had been ineffective because they remained bound by the convention.

Political background and previous controversies

Elected as MP for Fareham and Waterlooville in 2015, suella braverman rose rapidly within Conservative ranks. She served as attorney general under Boris Johnson and later as home secretary under Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. Her time in office was marked by controversy, including a resignation over a document sent from a personal email account and her dismissal in 2023 following criticism of the Metropolitan Police.

Despite these setbacks, she remained a prominent figure on the party’s right and mounted an unsuccessful leadership bid in 2022.

Reactions from parties across Westminster

The Conservative Party initially responded with a statement suggesting her defection was inevitable, later retracting a reference to her mental health after backlash. Suella Braverman dismissed the episode as evidence of a party in decline.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats were quick to criticise the move, accusing Reform UK of absorbing senior Conservatives who were responsible for Britain’s recent difficulties. Within Reform, however, her arrival was hailed as a significant gain, with Farage praising the experience she brings to the party.

Suella Braverman’s defection to Reform UK highlights the growing instability on the British right and the mounting pressure facing the Conservative Party. As more senior figures switch allegiance, her move underscores how suella braverman has become a central figure in a wider realignment that is reshaping Westminster politics.