Maria Caulfield Jumps Ship to Reform as Nigel Farage Gains More Ex-Tories – UK Politics Shaken
Former Conservative health minister Maria Caulfield has made headlines once again, but this time, it’s for switching sides.
She has joined Nigel Farage’s Reform Party, delivering yet another jolt to Kemi Badenoch and the Conservative establishment.
This move follows hot on the heels of Danny Kruger’s surprise defection just 24 hours earlier. With Caulfield now the 13th former Tory to sign up, Reform is riding a wave of support and is reportedly leading Labour in the latest polls.
Speaking to GB News, Caulfield laid it all out: “If you are Conservative right-minded, then the future is Reform. The country is going to change a lot.”
She didn’t hold back: “The same people who thought that Brexit would not happen think that Reform will not happen. They are in for a shock.”
And with a personal touch, she added, “I have joined. My husband joined a few months ago, and I joined a month ago.”
Breaking News
Former Conservative MP for Lewes @mariacaulfield CBE has joined @reformparty_uk.
After losing her seat she has returned to nursing. GB News @christopherhope said he could only speak to her in the eveing after finishing her shift. pic.twitter.com/oj4sNBMVcy
— David Atherton (@DaveAtherton20) September 16, 2025
Caulfield’s shift is more than symbolic. It’s a signal. Others are watching. High-profile defections like this pile pressure on Ms Badenoch, especially at a time when her MPs are urging her to capitalise on Labour’s troubles, not be distracted by defections from her own ranks.
Just this week, Danny Kruger voiced deep concerns about the state of the country, saying: “There is a crisis in the economy, crisis at the border, crisis in our streets, and a crisis in our military.”
He added: “Britain is not broken, but it is badly damaged” and warned that “something has got to give.”
Despite the upheaval, Ms Badenoch remained defiant. When asked about Kruger’s departure, she responded: “The party is not going to get blown off course by these sorts of incidents.”
But the churn is far from over. Former Conservative MP Nadine Dorries recently made headlines by branding the Tory Party “dead” before joining Reform herself.
Other notable names jumping ship include Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Marco Longhi, and former Tory chair Sir Jake Berry.
Reform is no longer a borderline movement. With each high-profile dereliction, its credibility and instigation grow.
Caulfield’s move underscores a deeper shift, one that could redraw political faithfulness and reshape the debate on public issues like frugality, security, and immigration.
For Kemi Badenoch, the challenge is clear: retain unity or risk further erosion. For Farage and Reform, the opportunity couldn’t be bigger.
