Jacob Rees-Mogg has confirmed he will not be joining Reform UK and will remain a supporter of the Conservative party. Speculations had arisen about his potential defection amidst a wave of prominent Tories switching to Nigel Farage’s right-wing group.
During Reform UK’s party conference in Birmingham, Rees-Mogg was seen attending a panel discussion on how the party could achieve success in governance by drawing insights from Donald Trump’s strategies. When asked if he was considering joining Reform UK, Rees-Mogg clarified that he was only present for a fringe meeting and reiterated his allegiance to the Conservative party.
There have been rumors circulating that Rees-Mogg might defect to Reform UK, with insider sources suggesting his political alignment closely aligns with Farage’s ideology. This move would be significant for Reform UK and a setback for the Conservatives, following the recent defection of Nadine Dorries to the same group. Dorries had criticized the Conservative party, labeling it as ineffective for future elections.
Several other former Tories have already joined Reform UK, including notable figures like Marco Longhi, Anne Marie Morris, and Andrea Jenkyns. Jenkyns, now the mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, made a flamboyant entrance at the Reform conference, clad in a sparkling blue jumpsuit and performing a peculiar song about “insomniacs” in an attempt to engage the audience.
The evolving landscape of political affiliations within the UK continues to draw attention, with high-profile defections and realignments shaping the dynamics of party politics.