𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Former Defence Minister Sarah Atherton has defected to Reform in a blow to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch.

The ex-Tory MP, who served in the Intelligence Corps, accused the Conservatives and Labour of having “failed Britain’s Armed Forces”.

She said Britain “deserves better” which “is why Reform has my support”.

Writing in the Daily Express, Ms Atherton said: “After years in Parliament, I came to the same conclusion many soldiers, sailors and aviators already know: the system doesn’t listen. Both Conservatives and Labour have failed Britain’s Armed Forces. The Conservatives promised strength but delivered weakness.”

She pointed to troop numbers being their lowest in modern history while recruitment targets have been repeatedly missed.

Ms Atherton, who was the MP for Wrexham up until last year’s general election, warned the Navy continues to struggle to crew the ships we have, while the RAF mothballs aircraft faster than it replaces them.

In August, Ms Atherton quit the Tory party and said she wanted to stand in next May’s Senedd election

She added: “From its inception, Reform has been unashamedly patriotic, built on the core value of Britain. First. It is the only party fighting to ensure the people’s voices are heard and the only one serious about restoring our Armed Forces.

“Reform’s defence policy is clear: increase spending to rebuild capability, strengthen borders, back veterans, and protect sovereignty. You may not always agree with every detail but with Reform you know where we stand — unapologetically on the side of Britain, its people, and its Armed Forces.

“I did not enter politics for titles or convenience. I did it to fight for people—and I have the scars to prove it. The Conservatives have broken their bond of covenant. Labour cannot be trusted with our security. Britain deserves better. That is why Reform has my support.”

Ms Atherton was parliamentary under-secretary of state for defence people, veterans and service families for a brief period in 2022.

She was the first Conservative politician to represent the Wrexham constituency since its creation in 1918.

Her defection to Reform is the latest in a string of former Tories jumping to Nigel Farage’s party.

Mrs Badenoch last month acknowledged her party is enduring a “rough and bumpy time” following the defections of MP Danny Kruger and former minister Maria Caulfield to Reform UK.

The first sitting Conservative MP to defect to the party, Mr Kruger was joined soon after by former Lewes MP Maria Caulfield, who lost her seat at last year’s general election.