By M10 News Staff Reporter
Senior Badenoch Ally Switches Sides
A senior adviser and financial backer of Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has defected to Reform UK, M10 News can confirm.
Mark Gallagher, who donated £2,000 to Badenoch’s leadership campaign last October, reportedly left the Conservative Party two months ago. He is now supporting Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in what is being described as a significant political shift.
Frustration Over Lack of Response
Sources close to Gallagher say his defection followed repeated attempts to offer Badenoch assistance that went unanswered. Gallagher, a long-time supporter and adviser, is said to have grown frustrated with what he viewed as “radio silence” from the Tory leader’s office.
One insider described the relationship as “strained,” adding that Gallagher felt his contributions were “no longer valued or acknowledged.”
Reaction from the Conservative Party
The Conservatives responded sharply to news of the defection, downplaying Gallagher’s significance within the party.
A senior Tory source told M10 News that Gallagher had “flitted between parties” in the past and “was never truly Conservative.”
They suggested that while he had advised Badenoch early on, his role was informal and limited.
Badenoch Camp Dismisses Concerns
An aide to Badenoch defended the Tory leader, suggesting Gallagher’s frustration was misplaced.
“She receives 20 texts every minute from MPs, peers, supporters, and advisers,” the aide said. “Kemi does her best to respond, but she’s leading the world’s oldest political party, doing media rounds, managing meetings, and being a wife and mother of three.”
The aide added that it would be “churlish to get upset about timely responses,” insisting that Badenoch’s focus remains on governing and party unity.
Gallagher’s Role and Influence
Gallagher had been viewed as a close ally during Badenoch’s leadership campaign, advising her on communications and grassroots outreach.
He was also known to have maintained regular contact with the Leader of the Opposition’s office, which some insiders say makes his move to Reform UK “a notable breach of political trust.”
Reform UK Welcomes the Defection
A Reform UK spokesperson confirmed Gallagher’s involvement with the party, saying: “Nigel and Mark have been friends for a long time. He’s disenchanted with the Conservatives and believes Reform offers real solutions.”
According to party insiders, Gallagher has already begun assisting with Reform’s campaign strategy and outreach efforts.
Symbolic Blow to Conservatives
The defection represents a symbolic setback for Badenoch as she seeks to unite a divided Conservative Party.
Reform UK continues to rise in the polls, eating into traditional Tory support across England, particularly among right-leaning voters disillusioned with the government’s record on immigration and taxes.
The Farage Connection
Gallagher’s friendship with Nigel Farage reportedly dates back several years. Sources suggest the two have been in “regular contact,” and Gallagher had been quietly advising Reform UK even before formally resigning from the Tories.
“Mark’s experience and political insight are invaluable,” said one Reform insider. “He’s helping to professionalise our campaign operation ahead of the next general election.”
Conservatives Play Down Impact
Despite concerns about further defections, the Conservatives insist Gallagher’s move will have little practical impact.
“He was an early supporter, but not part of the central campaign team,” one party figure said. “This is more noise than substance.”
Broader Tory Concerns
The defection, however, underscores growing unease within the Conservative ranks. Several backbench MPs have privately expressed fears that Reform’s momentum could cost the Tories dozens of seats in the next election.
Badenoch’s team is said to be working on a new outreach strategy to win back right-leaning voters tempted by Farage’s populist message.
Gallagher Declines to Comment
Gallagher has been made aware of the story but has not issued any public statement. Attempts by M10 News to contact him for comment were unsuccessful.
Sources close to him say he remains “fully committed” to Reform UK’s mission and is working closely with senior figures on policy development.
A Challenge for Badenoch’s Leadership
The timing of Gallagher’s defection is awkward for Badenoch, who is trying to project strength and unity within her party.
It follows weeks of internal disagreements over tax policy, immigration, and relations with Reform UK, which some Conservatives believe should be treated as a rival rather than a partner.
Reform’s Rising Popularity
Polls suggest Reform UK is now consistently polling in double digits, cutting into the Conservative base.
Farage has positioned himself as the defender of “common-sense politics,” a message that continues to resonate with voters frustrated by what they see as years of political stagnation.
Tory Officials Seek to Contain Fallout
Party officials are privately urging members to stay focused on policy and delivery rather than internal disputes.
One senior Conservative told M10 News: “The public doesn’t care about political gossip. They care about jobs, inflation, and security. That’s what Kemi is focused on.”
A Pattern of Discontent
Gallagher’s departure adds to a pattern of defections and resignations across the Conservative Party over the past year, reflecting deep divisions within the ranks.
Analysts say such moves, though small individually, could collectively weaken the Tories’ grassroots network ahead of the next election.
Reform UK Eyes Expansion
Reform UK, buoyed by Gallagher’s arrival, is reportedly stepping up recruitment efforts.
Party leaders hope to attract more former Tory donors and strategists as they prepare for what could be their most ambitious campaign yet.
The Road Ahead
With Gallagher’s defection, Reform UK gains not only a new political strategist but also a symbolic victory.
For Badenoch, the challenge now is to steady her leadership and prevent further cracks from appearing in her party’s already fragile unity.
A Test of Political Loyalty
As one senior Conservative put it: “Politics is about loyalty and conviction. Mark made his choice. Now Kemi must show she can keep her team together and lead with authority.”
Gallagher’s move to Reform may not shake the foundations of the Tory Party — but it’s a warning sign that the political right in Britain is increasingly fractured.
