𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

There have been defections ahoy in Tory ranks, as one high-profile member after the other jumps ship to join Nigel Farage and his band of merry men. From those who made the switch a while ago – such as Lee Anderson – through to former minister Nadine Dorries: the threat of the Tories losing their greatest assets to Reform looms large.

So it’s understandable that, as the Conservatives sink even lower in the polls, loyal grassroots members are nervous about who could be next. Here at this year’s Conservative Party Conference, I spent time chatting with members old and new about who they fear could be the next to break blue ranks and head for turquoise pastures new. But it was the prospect of one name handing in his Tory rosette that seemed to really have rattled the Tory faithful the most.

Lachlan Bruce, 32, works in public affairs for a charity and is a Conservative councillor in East Lothian. He said he really doesn’t care about who goes next – as it says more about the type of person they are.

He said: “I don’t fear anyone defecting. If they don’t want to be a member of our party then so be it. We are a team.”

Paul Salvin, 43, is an energy trader, who lives in Eston, Teesside and is a Conservative councillor for Normanby. He is married with two children. He says that it’s game over if one person crosses the floor.

He said: “I’m not a Kemi fan and when I talk to people that are the floating voters they say she’s not electable. I think she comes across as patronising and wouldn’t understand the politics of the North. I would prefer Jenrick. He gets it and is electable and the stuff that he’s been saying is starting to happen, such as leaving the ECHR.”

He added: “I think if Jenrick doesn’t get his own way he will defect – and I will follow. If he leaves the party we might as well all give up.”

Jack Symon, 23, is a father of two and a Conservative councillor in Redcar and Cleveland. He agreed.

He said: “The problem with Kemi is that she simply doesn’t connect with the average person, something Farage manages brilliantly, even if it’s mostly performance. Jenrick, on the other hand, is a far stronger communicator and easily outshines Badenoch in that respect. He’s exactly what the party needs to regain its voice and credibility.”

He added: “If figures like Jenrick were to walk away, I fear the party would be finished – especially if we’re left stuck with Kemi at the helm.”

Igraine Gray, 31, is a writer and lives in Loftus, North Yorkshire. She mentioned a name that has been long-rumoured as a possible defection due to her husband’s own defection to the party.

She said: “I would say Suella – but at the moment I don’t think she is going to go. With most of them I think ‘I can see how that’s happened’ – but Danny Kruger is a serious thinker and that opened it up a bit.”

Danny Kruger is a Member of Parliament (MP) for East Wiltshire and his defection to Reform last month has left many reeling and wondering who might be next.

Peter Grogan, 46, is a dad of five and grandfather of two. He’s self-employed in the fire protection industry and lives in Redcar. He is a Conservative councillor in Kirkleatham. His prognosis was clear.

He said: “I like Suella and hope she doesn’t go, but if Robert Jenrick went it would be the knockdown blow.”

Leo Hammond, 27, is a Conservative deputy police and crime commissioner. He is single with no children. He is a councillor in East Yorkshire and lives in the village of Yapham. Like many others his attitude to defectors is clear: good riddance.

He said: “If you had have asked me three months ago I would have said that Kemi needs to go but I think now she has really started to cut through and she has won me over.”

He added: “I don’t really care who defects. If they want to go then clearly they are not motivated by the right reasons.”