First Tory MP to Join Reform
Conservative MP Danny Kruger has defected to Reform UK, becoming the first sitting Tory parliamentarian to join Nigel Farage’s party.
Kruger, who represents East Wiltshire, announced his move during a press conference on Monday, declaring that the Conservative Party “is over.”
Blow to Badenoch’s Leadership
The 50-year-old’s defection is seen as a significant setback for new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who won the leadership on a right-leaning platform.
Kruger’s move also underscores the growing challenge Reform poses to the Tories ahead of the next general election.
High-Profile Background
The MP is the son of Great British Bake Off presenter Dame Prue Leith.
He entered Parliament in 2019, following Boris Johnson’s landslide Conservative victory.
Faith and Politics
An evangelical Christian, Kruger has been one of Westminster’s most vocal opponents of assisted dying legislation.
He has often argued for a return to “Christian values” and has positioned himself on the party’s socially conservative wing.
Past Controversies
Kruger has previously attracted criticism for comments suggesting heterosexual marriage is “the only possible basis for a safe and successful society.”
He was also fined £730 in 2021 after his dog caused a stampede of 200 deer in Richmond Park.
Investigation Over Funding
Westminster’s standards watchdog launched an investigation into Kruger last year over donations linked to a Christian right lobbying network.
The MP has declined to comment on the allegations while the inquiry is ongoing.
Clashes With Sunak Government
Kruger frequently challenged Rishi Sunak’s government, with the then-prime minister publicly distancing himself from Kruger’s remarks on marriage.
More recently, he has warned that Britain’s decline in Christianity is being replaced by what he called “Islam and woke ideology.”
Shift to Reform UK
Explaining his decision to defect, Kruger said the Conservatives had presided over “failure, bigger government, social decline, low wages, high taxes, and less of what ordinary people actually wanted.”
He added, “The Conservative Party is over. Over as a national party, over as the principal opposition to the Left.”
Preparing Reform for Power
Kruger insisted his move was not a rejection of conservatism but a bid to “pass the flame” to Reform UK.
“Our mission is not just to overthrow the current system,” he said. “It is to restore the system we need.”
Political Journey
Educated at Eton and Oxford, Kruger worked as a speechwriter for David Cameron and later as Boris Johnson’s political secretary before entering Parliament.
He also founded the youth crime prevention charity Only Connect and worked in various government advisory roles before becoming an MP.
Farage’s Response
Nigel Farage welcomed Kruger’s defection, describing him as “a principled voice for conservatism.”
He added that Kruger’s move showed “Reform UK is now the natural home for conservatives who want real change.”
Wider Implications
Kruger’s departure from the Conservatives highlights the strain on the party as Reform continues to peel away its right-wing base.
Polls suggest Reform is attracting increasing support among voters disillusioned with both Labour and the Conservatives.
Historic Defection
While individual councillors and former candidates have joined Reform in recent years, Kruger’s defection marks the first time a sitting Tory MP has crossed the floor to the party.
Observers say it could embolden others who feel sidelined under Badenoch’s leadership.
Reform’s Ambition
Kruger said his immediate role would be to help prepare Reform UK for government.
His defection gives Farage’s party its first seat in Parliament and a platform to press its message ahead of the general election.
