A dramatic break after 30 years
Sir Jake Berry, the former Conservative Party chairman and long-serving former MP for Rossendale and Darwen, has announced his defection to Reform UK in a blistering attack on the state of the country and the party he once helped lead.
After nearly three decades as a Conservative member, Berry accused the Tories of having “lost their way” and said Reform represents the “last chance to pull Britain back from terminal decline.”
The defection marks a serious blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s efforts to stabilise his fracturing party just weeks after a bruising general election campaign. Berry’s exit is seen as both symbolic and strategic, reflecting a growing wave of discontent among traditional Tory voters and former party figures.
‘Britain is broken’: Berry’s stark message
In a statement that signalled a clear ideological shift, Berry said: “Britain is broken. We literally live in a country where you cannot walk down the street with a phone in your hand. We have taxes that are so sky high, the brightest and best are leaving our country in droves, while at the same time a benefit system that is bringing the world’s poor to our shores with no control.”
He added: “The Conservative Party no longer speaks for people who work hard, follow the rules, and want to take pride in their country. It has become paralysed by internal squabbles and careerism while ignoring the real struggles of ordinary Britons.”
Berry’s comments echoed the messaging of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who has capitalised on voter frustration with both major parties. Berry is the most high-profile former Tory to cross the floor to Reform since the election, and his move is expected to galvanise the right-wing vote.
Tory backlash in Rossendale and Darwen
The local Conservative Association responded swiftly with a statement criticising Berry’s decision, saying it “will be seen by many as a betrayal – not just of Conservative members, but of the voters who returned him under a Conservative banner.”
The statement, shared on the Rossendale Conservatives’ Facebook page, claimed Berry’s break with the party had been long in the making.
“The truth is that Jake never truly recovered from the downfall of Liz Truss – a Prime Minister whose brief and chaotic tenure he enthusiastically supported,” it read.
“That period marked the beginning of his disengagement, both from the Parliamentary party and from the serious business of representing his constituents.”
The association added that Berry’s defection “says far more about him than it does about the modern Conservative Party” and reaffirmed its commitment to serving local residents under new leadership.
Reform’s momentum grows
Berry’s high-profile switch adds momentum to Reform UK’s post-election strategy of attracting disillusioned Conservative voters and politicians.
The party, which performed strongly in a number of northern and Midlands constituencies, is expected to use Berry’s defection as a platform to build credibility and expand its base.
A Reform spokesperson said the party “welcomes Jake Berry’s courage and honesty in recognising that Britain needs a real alternative to the tired old establishment parties. He brings with him experience, passion, and a clear message that Reform is ready to lead.”
Implications for the right
Political commentators say Berry’s move may herald a wider shift among right-leaning voters and former Tory figures, especially in red wall constituencies where the Conservative brand has become increasingly toxic. It also raises questions about how the Tories plan to address internal divisions and reconnect with voters who feel abandoned.
Berry’s future role within Reform UK has not yet been confirmed, but insiders suggest he could be handed a senior spokesperson role or help shape Reform’s regional strategy.
Whatever the outcome, Sir Jake Berry’s defection has exposed fresh cracks in the Conservative Party and added fuel to the rising populist tide now reshaping British politics.
