Ex chancellor Nadhim Zahawi defects to Reform

12 Jan 2026

Chancellor for less than 100 days Nadhim Zahawi quits Conservative party, saying UK needs a ‘glorious revolution’ and joins Reform UK

Zahawi is the most senior Conservative defection so far, a minister for many years in the Conservative, and even briefly chancellor, and the former MP for Stratford-upon-Avon until he resigned in 2024.

The announcement came at a press conference in central London with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage taking to the stage to introduce his newest recruit.

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