Ex-Tory chancellor Nadhim Zahawi defects to Reform UK
Former Conservative chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has joined Reform UK, the party has announced.
The former MP and minister, who also led the Conservative government’s vaccine programme in the early days of the pandemic, said Britain was “drinking at the last chance saloon” and “really does need Nigel Farage as prime minister”.
Mr Zahawi announced his defection at a press conference in central London on Monday, where he appeared alongside Reform UK leader Mr Farage.
Mr Farage insisted the ex-Tory big beast’s move to his party helped to dispel suggestions Reform UK was a “one-man band”.
Britain is “drinking at the last chance saloon” and “really does need Nigel Farage as prime minister”, Nadhim Zahawi said in a video message announcing his defection to Reform UK.
The former Conservative chancellor added: “I’ve made my mind that the team that will deliver for this nation will be the team that Nigel will put together, and that’s why I’ve decided that I’m joining Reform UK.”
Nadhim Zahawi is the latest of a number of “has-been politicians looking for their next gravy train,” the Conservatives said of the former Tory chancellor’s defection.
A Conservative spokesman said: “Reform is fast becoming the party of has-been politicians looking for their next gravy train.
“Their latest recruit used to say he’d be ‘frightened to live in a country’ run by Nigel Farage, which shows the level of loyalty for sale.
“Reform want higher welfare spending and higher taxes. They are a one-man band with no plan for our country.
“Under Kemi Badenoch the Conservatives are demonstrating we have the plan, the competence and the team to get Britain working again.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub