Nadhim Zahawi Joins Reform UK: Conservative Exodus Continues
- Former Conservative chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has become the latest - and most senior - Tory to defect to Reform UK.
- The ex-MP and vaccines minister during the COVID pandemic said the UK was "drinking at the last chance saloon" and "really does need Nigel farage as prime minister".
- Having served under the four latest Conservative prime ministers, including as chancellor for two months under Boris Johnson, he is the most senior former Tory MP to join...
Former Conservative chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has become the latest – and most senior - Tory to defect to Reform UK.
The ex-MP and vaccines minister during the COVID pandemic said the UK was “drinking at the last chance saloon” and “really does need Nigel farage as prime minister”.
Having served under the four latest Conservative prime ministers, including as chancellor for two months under Boris Johnson, he is the most senior former Tory MP to join Reform.
He is also the 20th ex-Conservative MP to defect as March 2024.
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Announcing his move at a news conference on Monday, alongside Reform leader Mr Farage, the Iraqi refugee said he switched as the Conservative party is a “defunct brand” that could no longer form the next government.
A Conservative source told Sky News that Mr zahawi, who stood down as an MP in 2024, had asked the Tories for a peerage several times, including in the last few months ahead of the most recent political peerages list.
However, he was told this was “never going to happen” as he was sacked as Tory party chairman by then-prime minister Rishi Sunak in 2023 for failing to declare he was being investigated by HMRC over his tax affairs.
Mr Zahawi told Sky News that was “not true” and he has a message “from the top” about wanting to give him a peerage and that Tory leader Kemi badenoch and her team would contact him in 2026.
He said Ms Badenoch and her team “came for help and advice” and asked him to meet her husband, Hamish Badenoch, twice as he said he is “taking charge at CCHQ”.
The businessman insisted he had been given “no promises at all” about what role he would have in Reform – but did not rule out becoming a Reform MP or peer.
Read more:
Who is Nadhim Zahawi? Former child refugee to top Tory to Reform defector
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Nigel Farage and Reform UK’s Recruitment of Nadhim Zahawi
Table of Contents
Nadhim Zahawi, a former Conservative MP, has defected to Reform UK, prompting criticism from other political parties regarding the party’s direction and Zahawi’s past conduct. This follows a pattern of former Conservative politicians joining Reform UK.
Nadhim Zahawi’s political Background and Defection
Nadhim Zahawi served as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Stratford-upon-Avon from 2010 until his defection to Reform UK on January 8, 2024. Parliamentary Biography of Nadhim Zahawi He held several ministerial positions, including Chancellor of the Exchequer under Boris Johnson. Gov.uk profile of Nadhim Zahawi His defection to Reform UK represents a meaningful shift,particularly given his previous criticisms of the party and its leader,Nigel Farage.
Zahawi’s departure from the Conservatives followed scrutiny over his tax affairs, leading to his dismissal from the cabinet by Rishi Sunak in january 2023.BBC News: Nadhim Zahawi sacked as Tory chairman
Reform UK and Controversial Statements
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has been gaining attention for its recruitment of high-profile figures and its increasingly prominent position in British politics. The party has faced criticism for providing a platform to individuals promoting unsubstantiated claims.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke at a Reform UK conference in 2023, where he made claims linking COVID-19 vaccines to cancer within the Royal Family. The guardian: Robert F Kennedy Jr links Covid vaccines to Royal Family cancer Farage defended this by citing free speech principles. Thes claims have been widely debunked by the scientific community.
Professor Brian Ferguson of Cambridge University stated unequivocally that there is “no credible evidence” supporting a link between COVID-19 vaccines and cancer. Cambridge University Profile of Professor Brian Ferguson
Reactions from Other Political Parties
The Conservative Party criticized Zahawi’s move, characterizing it as evidence of “has-been politicians” seeking opportunities and highlighting perceived inconsistencies in his past statements. They also criticized Reform UK’s policy positions, claiming they advocate for increased welfare spending and higher taxes.
Liberal Democrat MP Manuela Perteghella described Reform UK as a “retirement home for disgraced former Conservative ministers.” Labour Party chair Anna Turley characterized Zahawi as a “discredited and disgraced politician” linked to the Conservative government’s failures.
Prior to zahawi’s defection, Danny Kruger was the most senior Conservative MP to join Reform UK. The Guardian: Tory MP Danny Kruger defects to Reform UK
Current Status (as of january 12, 2026, 17:09:27 GMT)
as of January 12, 2026, Nadhim Zahawi remains a member of Reform UK. There have been no further significant defections from the Conservative Party to Reform UK reported by major news outlets since Kruger’s defection in November 2023. Reform UK continues to position itself as an alternative to both the Conservative and Labour parties,with a focus on issues such as immigration and economic reform. Polling data indicates reform UK is gaining some traction, but remains significantly behind Labour and the Conservatives in national opinion polls. Politico EU Polling Data (Note: This is a general link to Politico’s polling data; specific UK polls would need to be consulted for precise figures).
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