Reform UK Closes Door to Further Conservative Defections Until General Election

Reform UK's economics spokesman has confirmed the party will not accept any further defectors from the Conservatives ahead of the general election. Speaking to GB News, the spokesman said any potential Conservative defectors had "had their chance" but added a caveat for any from the Labour Party.

Reform leader Nigel Farage had previously pledged the party would not accept any more Tory defectors after May 7, the date of the local elections across the country. The spokesman confirmed the bar was now in place and "that's it" regarding the switching of allegiances from the Conservatives.

He responded to a question about Labour by saying "We refer to Tories," hinting there would be room for defectors from Keir Starmer’s party. " The spokesman said the party had found nearly 5000 candidates and was not short of them. "We've already had lots and lots of people express an appetite to be a Member of Parliament," he said.

" The spokesman was asked about the possibility that Reform might need support from Conservatives in government. He rejected the suggestion that the party would fall short of a majority and called for tactical voting to secure a right-of-centre government.

"Anybody who doesn't want hard left socialism has to vote tactically for Reform," he said. He added that Reform was now the biggest unionist party in Wales and Scotland.

The spokesman described the Conservatives as "basically a soft, soggy southern party disappearing down a plughole." He contrasted this with Reform's performance in the local elections and its policy platform. The comments come after local elections in which Reform reported success. The party is preparing for a general election in which it aims to secure a significant number of seats.