This now means that over half of the current 8 Reform UK MPs were sitting Conservatives at some moment throughout their political careers. The culprits are the aforementioned Suella Braverman, who previously served as the Home Secretary, Robert Jenrick, who previously served as the Justice Minister, Danny Kruger, Andrew Rosindell and Lee Anderson.
Reform UK is typically seen as politically right to the Tories on both economic and social policy. Farage has been consistent in wanting to ensure a stark divide between himself and the party he largely blames for the state of modern Britain. However, this trend raises a question: how different will his party be from the Conservatives by the next general election if he continues to collect ex-tories in his game of political chess? Specifically, how different will his party be when it is comprised of former minsters who he deems responsible for the “Boris wave” of immigration and the creation of a “broken system”.
"It has become abundantly clear with the declining polling position of the Tories that Reform UK has become a political lifeline for ex-Tories."
Arguably, Farage’s greatest challenge is the lack of political experience that he or his party have had in office. Perhaps he thinks the solution is to welcome more Tory defections with open arms, despite their 14 years in government that saw them ousted in 2024.
The proven experience of the Tories seems to be taking over the unpredictable inexperience of Reform UK members. The party had lost two of the five MPs they gained in the previous general election. With controversy aroused from Rupert Lowe’s political infighting and James’ McMurdock’s financial mishandling, it could suggest that Farage may want to limit the possibility of further scandals from new Reform start-ups.
In comparison, his eagerness to welcome those who fell out of touch with the Tories doesn’t guarantee that his political party will be immune to further controversy. All it takes to acknowledge this is to remember the Conservatives’ infamous ‘Partygate’ and the party turmoil that ensued with the rise of political loose cannons such as Liz Truss.
Over 20 former Tory MPs have joined Reform UK in some capacity. With the likes of Dame Andrea Jenkyns, who is now the Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, and former Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi. It has become abundantly clear with the declining polling position of the Tories that Reform UK has become a political lifeline for ex-Tories, especially with Reform UK leading in recent voting intention polling and therefore Farage inhabiting 10 Downing Street.
The changing landscape of Reform UK’s membership raises questions about the direction the party is headed in, considering that a large section of their voting bloc is disenfranchised ex-Tory voters. The party’s head of policy, Zia Yusuf, said in December 2025, “I want to be clear to our Reform grassroots: you will be prioritised in candidate selection for our next class of MPs, NOT failed former Tory MPs”.
Despite this proclamation, the reality looks to be the opposite, with ex-Tories currently taking over the political ranks of Reform UK. If Farage leads his party into government by the time of the next election, will he be able to be a viable right-wing alternative to the Tories? A party like Reform UK that wishes to leave the European Convention on Human Rights and scrap net-zero. Only time will tell as speculation grows over which Tories will defect to Reform UK next.