Former Tory Minister Maria Caulfield Joins Most Recent Senior Conservative Figure to Reform Party
One more prominent Conservative member has moved to Nigel Farage’s party, with one-time health minister Maria Caulfield confirming she enrolled in recent weeks.
Further Setback for the Conservative Leadership
Although Caulfield is no longer an MP after being defeated in her Lewes constituency to the opposition party last year, her defection marks another setback for the Conservatives, coming just a day after a separate defection by an incumbent Tory MP.
Several of senior party members have defected over in recent times, though to date only one individual remains in parliament.
Caulfield’s Statement
“For those who are aligned with conservative values, then what lies ahead is Reform UK. Britain is going to undergo major shifts.”
Caulfield continued: “Those who believed that the EU exit would not happen are convinced that Reform will not happen. They are in for a surprise.”
She confirmed that she joined recently, noting that her partner had enrolled some time earlier.
“It’s disappointing for the Tories. It became clear that I have not changed, but the Tories has become increasingly reflective of my beliefs.”
She emphasized that the party let people down over leaving the EU, particularly on laws, spending, and border control. “Authority was reclaimed, but we didn’t actually act on those fronts.”
Speaking about the party, she commented: “Their goal involves overhauling the establishment – they won’t change unless a new approach is taken.”
Future Plans
She indicated that she might she could attempt to come back as an MP representing the party, stating: “It depends on what transpires.”
Reform UK’s Position
Although the party is wary of taking on a large number of ex- Conservatives, since it may be viewed as a dumping ground for ejected MPs, the organization is conscious that it does not have background in running the country.
Ex-government members could offer that expertise.
Additional Switches
One more incumbent Tory MP, once working as political secretary to Boris Johnson, in the past day defected to Reform and was assigned as the head of “government readiness”.
“Our former party is finished. Over as a major political entity, and has ended as the leading alternative to the progressive side.”
Even while his defection, the representative took care not to attack the current party head, saying that she had “carried out a impressive job in extremely challenging circumstances”.
He added: “On a personal level, I think she’s demonstrated genuine bravery and strength. It’s not my intention to attack her personally. I think anyone leading would’ve encountered a difficult period over the past year.”
“I do disagree with the tactics. I think the leadership ought to have pursued is a much more bold assertion of core Tory values.”
“But here we are, I’m not only rejecting the Tories, I’m actually fully supporting Reform’s figurehead and the Reform party, who I think have shown over the past year that they have grown into a credible, substantial alternative force.”