Former Conservative minister Dame Andrea Jenkyns has revealed she began discussions about defecting to Reform UK in August, while maintaining loyalty to the Tories through her final months as their MP.
Speaking on GB News, Jenkyns disclosed the timeline of her move to Nigel Farage’s party, saying: “So this is an exclusive, when all the conversations started, actually. So, obviously, as we know, I was talking before the election.”
She explained her decision to remain with the Conservatives until after losing her seat: “I believe in being loyal to the party, and the fact that you got elected with that party, go down fighting with that party.”
“So I did my best going down with the sinking ship,” she added.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns revealed she began talks to move to Reform UK in August
GB News
Jenkyns described being impressed with Reform UK’s internal changes during her meetings with the party leadership.
She told GB News: “I met a few times, and I was really impressed with [Reform UK chairman] Zia, actually, of the reforms that he’s doing within the party structure.”
She praised the party’s efforts to professionalise its operations, noting: “We know, the democratising of it, the setting of branches, having campaign managers and really professionalising it. And also giving members a voice really.”
“And I thought that was fabulous,” she added.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns was welcomed by party leader Nigel Farage as she became the 100,000th member of ReformX / Nigel FarageThe former Conservative minister emphasised that her selection as mayoral candidate followed proper procedures, stating: “I have to say that I went through proper process.
“Other candidates was applying for the role, and so they’ve done it properly. I wasn’t just a shoo-in.”
Jenkyns revealed mixed reactions to her defection from former Conservative colleagues.
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“I’ve had some lovely messages, a couple not that pleasant. Even one from a good friend of mine, which I’m very saddened about,” she told GB News.
Despite some negative responses, she maintained strong connections within her former party.
She said: “I’ve got friends in the Conservative Party and there are still some good conservatives.”
The former MP expressed a measured view of her former party, adding: “Even when I was a Conservative, I never had a hatred for really Reform.”
Jenkyns told GB News that has had some ‘not so pleasant’ messages from peers about her defection
GB News
“I did say quite a few need to sod off to the liberals. Probably three quarters of them,” she remarked about current Conservative MPs.
“But all in all, people have been good,” she concluded.
Jenkyns was unveiled as Reform UK’s 100,000th member at a press conference in central London on Thursday.
She was also announced as the party’s candidate for Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire in next May’s election.
Nigel Farage introduced her at the conference, describing her as “extraordinary” and saying she had “every chance of winning” the mayoral seat.
The former minister hinted at potential further Conservative defections to Reform UK.
“There’s a few who lost their seat… I mean, I don’t want to embarrass them by mentioning their names, I wouldn’t do that,” she revealed.
Describing her decision to leave the Conservatives, Jenkyns said: “The truth is undeniable: the ship is sinking and perhaps, sadly, beyond salvage but enough is enough. It is time to step aboard a movement with vision and purpose.”