Eleven Conservative MPs placed on 'defection watch'

The Conservatives have placed 11 of their MPs on a defection watch list amid fears more could follow Robert Jenrick to Reform UK.

- DAVID MADDOX MILLIE COOKE

Kemi Badenoch dramatically sacked Mr Jenrick from her shadow cabinet on Thursday after his plot to make a move was uncovered by the party, with the Tory leader yesterday branding him a “liar” who can’t be trusted.

Former Tory cabinet minister Michael Gove warned Mr Jenrick’s reputation will be scarred by his “treachery” and said his scathing attack on his former party would inflict lasting damage on his reputation.

Ms Badenoch has insisted his departure would bring stability to the party, but those close to her are concerned that Nigel Farage’s call to action - for anyone considering a move to do so in time for the 7 May local elections or risk being rejected by the party - could trigger other departures.

The watch list, drawn up before Mr Jenrick’s defection, and seen by The Independent, includes former ministers and veteran MPs Suella Braverman, Sir John Hayes, Mark Francois, Esther McVey, Andrew Rosindell and Sir Desmond Swayne.

Also included on the list are MPs from the 2024 intake - Katie Lam, Bradley Thomas and Lewis Cocking, as well as shadow ministers Matt Vickers and Joy Morrissey.

It is understood that Nick Timothy had been seen as a flight risk until he accepted the job of replacing Mr Jenrick as shadow justice secretary. But one insider admitted that “the number of possibles” stretches to more than 20 MPs.

“The party is in a fight for its survival,” one senior figure said. “If these MPs all defect by 7 May, then it is pretty much game over.” There is an admission, though, that the party leadership was “completely blindsided” by Mr Jenrick’s plot to “jump ship in a damaging way”, adding: “We just don’t know who, what, where next with the defections.”