Former Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman has announced her defection to Reform UK, making the statement during a press conference alongside party leader Nigel Farage. Braverman cited a "very toxic environment" within the Conservative party as a factor in her decision, asserting that the right-wing faction, with which she identifies, had "lost the battle" for policy direction. She also criticized a comment from Conservative headquarters concerning her mental health, calling it "pathetic," and claimed similar remarks had previously been made by Kemi Badenoch. Reform UK additionally condemned the Conservative party's comment regarding Braverman's mental health.
During the event, Nigel Farage articulated Reform UK's need for individuals possessing government experience. The Labour party, reacting to Braverman's move, characterized Reform UK as a party "full of failed Tories."
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jan/26/labour-andy-burnham-byelection-blocked-police-reforms-starmer-streeting-farage-uk-politics-live-news-updates