In a dramatic shake-up of British politics, former Conservative Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has defected to Reform UK, calling the Tory Party “dead” and lending her experience to Nigel Farage’s growing political movement.
The move is being hailed by Farage as a major coup and signals a potential realignment of the right-wing vote ahead of the next General Election.
Farage Hails “Big Signing”
Speaking on Thursday night, Farage celebrated Dorries’ arrival as a key addition to his team.
He emphasized that while new voices from outside politics are valuable, having someone with government experience like Dorries strengthens Reform’s credibility.
“From this time last year, we had just a handful of branches – now we have 450,” Farage said.
“We’ve won elections on May 1, we’re publishing policy papers, and our team is building.
Nadine is a significant addition because she has been there, she knows the problems, and she understands how the system works.”
Farage also highlighted Dorries’ celebrity status, noting her appearances on reality TV, bestselling books, and columns for the Daily Mail.
He argued that her presence underscores that the Conservative Party is “beginning to disintegrate before your eyes.”
Dorries Calls Out the Conservative Party
In an exclusive Mail+ article, Dorries explained her reasons for leaving the Tory Party after three decades of membership.
“The Tory Party is dead,” she wrote. “Its members now need to think the unthinkable and look to the future.”
Her decision comes just before Reform UK’s annual conference in Birmingham, where she is set to deliver the opening speech, signaling her full commitment to the party’s platform and future ambitions.
Political Strategy and Timing
Dorries’ defection comes after a summer in which Farage dominated headlines, particularly with his criticism of the Government’s immigration policies.
Polling has shown Reform rising to a 15-point lead, helping Farage position himself as a serious contender for Downing Street.
Her experience as an MP, columnist, and best-selling author is expected to counter criticism that Reform is overly reliant on Farage alone.
Senior figures in the party have acknowledged that Farage would struggle to fill a potential Cabinet with experienced ministers without Dorries’ guidance.
Behind the Scenes Talks
Reports indicate that secret discussions between Dorries and Farage took place at Robin Birley’s exclusive 5 Hertford Street club in Mayfair.
While Farage did not promise Dorries a future role in a potential Reform administration, her influence could be pivotal in negotiating alliances with like-minded right-wing candidates.
Dorries’ friends suggest that she believes the current Labour Government may not last two years, and that Tory leadership under Kemi Badenoch would not be strong enough to win a General Election.
Her involvement may encourage Farage to form targeted agreements with Right-wing Tory MPs, echoing the 2019 Brexit Party strategy.
A Symbolic Shift in the Tory Ranks
Dorries has long been a close ally of Boris Johnson and accurately predicted his rise to Downing Street years ago.
Her departure is being seen as a sign that she has given up on his return to the Tory Party and now sees Farage as the leader poised to take the country’s top job.
A Conservative insider summed up the moment: “The ravens are leaving the tower.”