Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is expected to unveil a Labour defector to Reform UK in just hours.
Mr Farage, who last week set a May 7 deadline for Tory MPs to switch to Reform UK, hinted at a new recruit when Robert Jenrick was unveiled as the party’s sixth MP last week.
Following the defection of Romford MP Andrew Rosindell last night, speculation continues about the potential politicians eyeing up a switch before the 2026 Local Elections.
Speaking on Times Radio this morning, Mr Jenrick said: “There are some people in the party who have come from the Conservative Party. There are many people who have come from other political parties as well.
He added: “There may be a former Labour MP joining the party in the days ahead.”
Mr Jenrick’s remarks came just days after Mr Farage suggested Tuesday would see him unveil his coveted Labour defector.
The Reform UK leader said: “There will be a Labour defection next week.”
The Clacton MP later quipped: “See you next Tuesday.”
So, who could be the Labour bigwig looking for a switch to Reform UK?
Nigel Farage last week quipped: ‘See you next Tuesday’
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Kate Hoey
Kate Hoey campaigned alongside Nigel Farage as part of the Leave.EU campaign in 2016
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Age: 79
Seat: Vauxhall – 1989 to 2019
Current post: Independent Peer in the House of Lords
Political high point: Sports Minister under Sir Tony Blair’s Labour Government
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
Kate Hoey has made no secret about her political relationship with Nigel Farage. Having both campaigned for the UK to leave the EU in 2016, the pair continued to work closely in 2019 at a time when Brexiteers thought a plot to reverse the referendum was about to take hold. Following Andrew Rosindell’s defection last night, Baroness Hoey said: “Simply the best defector yet. Andrew is someone who stands up for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and all our overseas territories. A true Brexiteer and someone who will bring his knowledge of Parliamentary procedures and campaigning to Reform UK.” However, a Labour source told GB News: “If it’s Kate Hoey then it doesn’t really count. She was never seen as Labour and hasn’t been officially for many years. May as well be getting DUP defectors!”
Tom Harris
Tom Harris served as a Labour MP in Glasgow
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Age: 61
Seat: Glasgow South (formerly Glasgow Cathcart) – 2001 to 2015
Current post: Independent Peer in the House of Lords
Political high point: Junior Transport Minister under Sir Tony Blair and head of Vote Leave in Scotland
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
Tom Harris is yet another Labour Brexiteer being tipped as a potential defector. However, the 61-year-old took to social media to dismiss the speculation. Sharing his Telegraph opinion piece confirming he is not looking to join Reform UK, the Independent Lord said: “For those asking, I hope this is helpful.” And the ex-Glasgow MP kept clear blue water between himself and Mr Farage when he spearheaded the Vote Leave campaign in Scotland. “Nigel Farage is no more a partner of mine in the Scottish Leave campaign than David Cameron is of yours,” Mr Harris told MPs. “Nigel Farage is in a different campaign.”
Gisela Stuart
Gisela Stuart was a huge figure in the official Vote Leave campaign
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Age: 70
Seat: Birmingham Edgbaston – 1997 to 2017
Current post: First Civil Servant Commissioner and Independent Lord
Political high point: Leading figure on the Vote Leave campaign and Junior Health Minister under Sir Tony Blair
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
Gisela Stuart, the Bavarian-born Birmingham MP, defied most of her partisan parliamentary colleagues by coming out in favour of Brexit. Joining Boris Johnson on the Vote Leave campaign, Mrs Stuart celebrated the result of the 2016 referendum on EU membership. Despite being on the same side of the Brexit divide as Mr Farage, the 70-year-old said at the time: “Him [Nigel Farage] up against the Prime Minister [David Cameron], that’s one thing. I would not have shared a platform with him.” Responding to recent speculation, Mrs Stuart said: “It deserves a straightforward answer… No.”
Graham Stringer
Graham Stringer, a veteran Labour MP, warned Reform UK could benefit from backtracking on Brexit | GETTY
Age: 75
Seat: Blackley & Middleton South (formerly Manchester Blackley and Blackley & Broughton) – 1997 to present
Current post: Labour’s lone pro-Brexit MP
Political high point: Lord Commissioner of the Treasury
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
“I’ve been in the party a long time and I’m staying,” Graham Stringer said. Despite being critical of Sir Keir Starmer on Brexit and the European Convention on Human Rights, Mr Stringer does not look like crossing the floor to Reform UK. However, the 75-year-old has been friendly with Mr Farage for many years, appearing alongside the now-Reform leader when the pair campaigned for the UK to leave the EU.
Lord Glasman
Age: 64
Current post: Labour Lord since 2011
Political high point: Founder of Blue Labour
What have they said about Nigel Farage and Reform UK?
The 64-year-old Labour Lord is considered an option for Reform UK given his strong stance on Brexit and controlling immigration. The founder of Blue Labour, who is a close ally of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, is also friendly with key figures inside Donald Trump’s White House. However, Lord Glasman is said to have ruled out defecting to Reform UK.