British politics has been thrown into fresh turmoil after former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries dramatically announced she is leaving the Conservatives to join Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
After more than 30 years as a Tory, she has now declared: “The Tory Party is dead.”
Her move comes after months of quiet discussions with Farage, who is plotting an aggressive path to Downing Street.
The announcement is expected to shake up not just the Conservative ranks but also Labour MPs who face rising pressure in Reform-targeted seats.
Why Dorries Walked Away from the Tories
In an exclusive article, Dorries said that Conservative members should “think the unthinkable” and look beyond the party’s future.
For her, years of frustration with the direction of the Tories finally boiled over.
Friends suggest she believes Prime Minister Kemi Badenoch has no realistic chance of winning the next election, and with Labour’s government looking shaky, she sees Reform as the only party with momentum.
Farage’s Biggest Political Win Yet
For Farage, Dorries’ defection is a prize catch.
He praised her as “a hugely successful politician, author and columnist” and insisted she would be a huge boost for Reform’s push to win the next General Election.
Her decision comes on the eve of Reform’s annual conference in Birmingham, where she is set to deliver the opening speech—a symbolic moment that could redefine the party’s image as more than just a one-man show.
Behind the Closed-Door Talks
The discussions between Dorries and Farage were far from casual.
The pair met several times at Robin Birley’s exclusive Mayfair club, 5 Hertford Street.
Interestingly, Farage did not promise her a future Cabinet position in a Reform government.
Still, at 68, Dorries hasn’t ruled out a parliamentary comeback, banking on her grassroots appeal and her long-standing stance on Brexit and immigration to place her high on Reform’s candidate list.
Reform’s Rise in the Polls
Farage has spent the summer relentlessly attacking the Government’s immigration stance, a strategy that has pushed Reform to a commanding lead in recent polls—15 points ahead.
While Labour ministers were on holiday, Farage kept himself firmly in the headlines, giving Reform momentum and credibility that few in Westminster saw coming.
Tory Panic and Talk of Alliances
Inside Conservative circles, panic is spreading.
Some MPs now openly talk of a possible electoral pact with Reform to prevent splitting the right-wing vote.
While Badenoch has flatly ruled out any deal, senior Tory Robert Jenrick, tipped as her potential successor, is far more open to cooperation.
Farage himself swings between wanting to “go it alone” and considering selective alliances with Tory candidates who share his views.
Dorries’ Influence on Farage’s Next Moves
Allies believe Dorries will push Farage toward a strategy similar to his 2019 Brexit Party pact with the Conservatives, where he pulled back candidates to stop Labour from reversing Brexit.
But Farage still feels burned by that deal, saying Boris Johnson later “betrayed Brexit.”
Whether he will repeat such a move remains uncertain.
A Final Goodbye to Boris Johnson’s Era
Dorries has long been one of Boris Johnson’s closest allies, predicting his rise to Downing Street long before it happened.
Her decision to abandon the Tories is seen by many as a sign she no longer believes Johnson will ever return to lead the party.
Instead, she appears convinced that Farage is now the one with a real shot at No. 10. A Tory friend summed up the mood within Conservative ranks: “The ravens are leaving the tower.”