politics
January 26, 2026
Tories criticised over claim Braverman defected to Reform after ‘mental health’ issues
Statement, since withdrawn, followed ex-minister becoming third Conservative MP to join Farage’s party in just over a week
TL;DR
- Suella Braverman, a former home secretary, has defected from the Conservative Party to join Reform UK.
- Braverman stated she felt "politically homeless" and criticized the Conservatives for failing to deliver on promises, particularly regarding Brexit and immigration.
- The Conservative Party issued a controversial statement after her defection, suggesting her move was related to "mental health" issues, which was later retracted as a draft error.
- Braverman accused Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch of orchestrating a "witch-hunt against rightwingers" and mentioned a past accusation of a "breakdown."
- Nigel Farage welcomed Braverman, noting her experience and the increased number of former Liz Truss cabinet members in Reform UK's top team.
- Braverman's defection follows those of Conservative MPs Robert Jenrick and Andrew Rosindell, bringing Reform UK's MP count to eight.
- Labour criticized the move, labeling Braverman as one of the "failed Tories responsible for the chaos and decline" of the past 14 years.
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