The former UK Cabinet member is the latest high-ranking Conservative politician to defect to Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage. Another senior Tory, Robert Jenrick, was pushed before he could leave earlier this month
The former UK Cabinet member is the latest high-ranking Conservative politician to defect to Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage. Another senior Tory, Robert Jenrick, was pushed before he could leave earlier this month.
Reform UK’s Nigel Farage has poached several more right-leaning Conservative Party members in recent monthsImage: Isabel Infantes/REUTERS
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British Conservative lawmaker Suella Braverman, who was home secretary — the UK equivalent to interior minister — between 2022 and 2023, has joined Nigel Farage’s populist Reform UK party.
Braverman, a sitting member of parliament, is the latest in a string of high-profile Conservatives join Farage’s camp. Reform UK is currently the fourth power in the House of Commons but leading opinion polls ahead of both the ruling Labor and the Tories as both traditional UK parties struggle.
“Britain is indeed broken,” Braverman said at a rally, echoing a Farage catchphrase in an appearance alongside him. “We can either continue down this route of managed decline to weakness and surrender, or we can fix our country.”
Braverman: ‘I feel like I’ve come home’
The former home secretary announced the defection at a press event in front of military veterans alongside Farage on Monday.
“I feel like I’ve come home,” Braverman said twice to applause from
UK: Suella Braverman defects from Conservatives to reform.
The former UK Cabinet member is the latest high-ranking Conservative politician to defect to Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage. Another senior Tory, Robert Jenrick, was pushed before he could leave earlier this month.
Former British Home Secretary Suella Braverman stands side by side with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage at a stage in London, January 26, 2026.
Reform UK’s Nigel Farage has poached several more right-leaning Conservative Party members in recent :
British Conservative lawmaker Suella Braverman, who was home secretary — the UK equivalent to interior minister — between 2022 and 2023, has joined Nigel Farage’s populist Reform UK party.
Braverman, a sitting member of parliament, is the latest in a string of high-profile Conservatives join Farage’s camp. Reform UK is currently the fourth power in the House of Commons but leading opinion polls ahead of both the ruling Labor and the Tories as both traditional UK parties struggle.
“Britain is indeed broken,” Braverman said at a rally, echoing a Farage catchphrase in an appearance alongside him. “We can either continue down this route of managed decline to weakness and surrender, or we can fix our country.”
Braverman: ‘I feel like I’ve come home’
The former home secretary announced the defection at a press event in front of military veterans alongside Farage on Monday.
“I feel like I’ve come home,” Braverman said twice to applause from the crowd.
Suella Braverman hold her hand to her chest while Nigel Farage gestures towards the audience at a stage in London, January 26, 2026. Suella Braverman hold her hand to her chest while Nigel Farage gestures towards the audience at a stage in London, January 26, 2026.
Braverman tried to portray herself as a comparative hardliner on migration during her stint at the Home OfficeImage: Isabel Infantes/REUTERS
She said thanked the soldiers and tried to draw parallels between her decision to switch sides and their military service.
“You’ve put your country first, you’ve sacrificed, you’ve given us everything,” she said. “And you didn’t do that for applause. You didn’t serve your country for reward. You did it because you believed passionately in the greatness of our country.”
Braverman said that the troops had ultimately put their lives on the line out of “love for our dear country,” and said that she was acting out of the same love.
She also sought to link some of Reform’s policy positions to military traditions.
“You believe fiercely in its value. You’re not apologizing for our history. You’re proud of the vast contribution that Britain has made to civilization for centuries,” Braverman said.
