Kemi: Defectors to Reform 'steadied the Tory ship'

THE defections of Robert Jenrick, Nadhim Zahawi and Andrew Rosindell to Reform are "helpful" for the Tories, says Kemi Badenoch.

- BY TONY WHITFIELD

The leader of the Opposition added their departures showed her party is focused on the country's ambition rather than personal ones.

When she stood for party leader after it had suffered a landslide defeat at the polls in May 2024, she said her mission was to ensure it survived.

Ms Badenoch recorded BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs last Monday, days after the defections of the two former frontbenchers and the MP for Romford.

She told programme host Lauren Laverne: "The defections are part of the ship being steadied.

"And while it is always sad to lose people who used to be on the team, losing people who were not team players and who were more focused about their own personal ambition rather than the country's ambition is actually helpful for showing what kind of party we are."