(LONDON, January 18, 2026) — Andrew Rosindell, a Conservative Member of Parliament, has defected to Reform UK, citing the Conservative Party’s perceived lack of accountability and its handling of the Chagos Islands dispute.
Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell has switched parties to join Reform UK, adding to a recent wave of defections from the ruling party.
- Andrew Rosindell has resigned from the Conservative Party and joined Reform UK.
- Rosindell criticized the Conservative Party’s handling of the Chagos Islands issue and a broader lack of accountability.
- His defection follows that of Robert Jenrick, who joined Reform UK on Thursday.
- Reform UK leader Nigel Farage welcomed Rosindell, calling him “a great patriot.”
Rosindell, who previously served as shadow minister for foreign affairs, stated that the Conservatives were “irreparably bound to the mistakes of previous governments” and unwilling to take “meaningful accountability” for poor decisions, according to reports. He announced his decision after speaking with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage on Sunday evening.
Rosindell Cites Chagos Islands Dispute
A key factor in Rosindell’s decision was the Labour government’s decision to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and what he described as the “failure of the Conservative Party both when in government and more recently in opposition to actively hold the government to account on the issue.” He asserted that “both the government and the opposition have been complicit in the surrender of this sovereign British territory to a foreign power.”
Farage echoed this sentiment, stating, “The Tories’ lies and hypocrisy over the Chagos Islands betrayal has tipped him over the edge, and we are delighted to welcome him to our ranks.”
Recent Conservative Departures
Rosindell’s move follows that of Robert Jenrick, who joined Reform UK on Thursday after being sacked from the shadow cabinet by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who had accused him of plotting to defect. Rosindell stated on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the “views and concerns of constituents such as mine in Romford have been consistently ignored for far too long.”
He added, “Our country has endured a generation of managed decline. Radical action is now required to reverse the damaging decisions of the past and to forge a new course for Britain.” Rosindell revealed he had been a member of the Conservative Party since the age of 14.
“Radical action is now required to reverse the damaging decisions of the past and to forge a new course for Britain.” — Andrew Rosindell
The defections represent a challenge to the Conservative Party as it prepares for a general election, and a boost for Reform UK, which is positioning itself as an alternative to both the Conservatives and Labour.
