Overview
- Braverman announced her switch at a Reform UK event, arguing immigration is out of control and public services are failing.
- Reform UK’s Commons tally has risen to eight MPs, with reporting indicating that five are former Conservatives.
- The Conservative Party initially framed her exit as inevitable and questioned her wellbeing, then withdrew the statement after criticism.
- Labour publicly condemned Reform UK as “a rehash of the worst of the Conservative Party” in a message on X.
- Farage is confronting member unease over the influx of ex-Tories and has set a May 7 deadline for further Conservative joiners.