Former Tory chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has defected to Reform UK in what represents the biggest scalp for Nigel Farage yet.
The move will be a huge blow to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch who had been hoping that she was turning her party’s fortunes.
Mr Zahawi, who resigned as Tory chairman in 2023 under a cloud because of questions over his tax affair, was unveiled by Mr Farage at a press conference in central London.
A leading Brexiteer, he has become the latest of a long line of former allies of Boris Johnson to defect to Reform following former culture secretary Nadine Dorries, former chairman Sir Jake Berry, former education minister Dame Andrea Jenkyns and former Brexit minister David Jones.
Britain is “drinking at the last chance saloon” and “really does need Nigel Farage as prime minister”, Mr Zahawi said in a video message announcing his defection to Reform UK.
The former Conservative chancellor added: “I’ve made my mind that the team that will deliver for this nation will be the team that Nigel will put together, and that’s why I’ve decided that I’m joining Reform UK.”
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