London (Parliament Politics Magazine) January 19, 2026 – Andrew Rosindell, the veteran Conservative MP for Romford, resigned from the party on Sunday evening and defected to Reform UK becoming the seventh MP for Nigel Farage’s party. Rosindell cited the Conservative Party’s handling of the Chagos Islands deal and failure to hold the government accountable on sovereignty issues as key reasons for his departure after serving the party since age 14. The move follows Robert Jenrick’s defection earlier in the week reducing Conservative MPs to 120 and boosting Reform UK’s parliamentary presence ahead of May local elections.
Rosindell who held shadow foreign affairs minister role under Kemi Badenoch announced decision via X post stating Reform UK represents genuine commitment to UK interests after Conservatives became irreparably tied to past government errors. Nigel Farage welcomed Rosindell as great patriot excellent team addition confirming May 7 cut-off for further MP defections aligning local election strategy. Labour Party chair Anna Turley described defection as stench of failing Tory Party with Reform attempting to rehabilitate Conservative record.
Rosindell defection announcement detailed statement content
Andrew Rosindell posted statement Sunday evening expressing sorrow at resigning shadow minister position and Conservative membership after lifelong loyalty since age 14. MP highlighted Conservative Party irreparably bound to previous government mistakes unwilling to accept meaningful accountability across multiple issues particularly Chagos Islands sovereignty relinquishment to Mauritius foreign power.
Rosindell stated Romford constituents perspectives persistently overlooked requiring immediate radical measures reversing harmful past choices charting new direction for Britain. Following conversation with Nigel Farage MP agreed joining Reform UK seventh parliamentary member emphasising party sole political movement genuinely fighting UK best interests.
Christopher Hope reported Rosindell Badenoch contact. Christopher Hope said in X post,
“NEW Latest Reform UK MP Andrew Rosindell says he has not spoken to Kemi Badenoch since defecting last night. “I wish her all the best,” he says. More now on @GBNEWS.”
NEW Latest Reform UK MP Andrew Rosindell says he has not spoken to Kemi Badenoch since defecting last night. “I wish her all the best,” he says. More now on @GBNEWS.
— Christopher Hope📝 (@christopherhope) January 19, 2026
Reform uk parliamentary strength seventh mp achievement
Reform UK parliamentary representation reached seven MPs following Rosindell defection joining Lee Anderson Rupert Lowe Dan Magee Becky Leppard plus recent Jenrick addition formal Commons grouping recognition Speaker’s Office rights establishment. Farage confirmed Rosindell shadow foreign affairs role maintaining opposition scrutiny coordination government legislative programme challenge.
Party set May 7 local elections cut-off admitting current former MPs local councillors strategic recruitment concluding ahead council contests targeting significant gains metropolitan districts market towns. Reform UK manifesto priorities immigration control border security net zero policy reversal economic nationalism alignment Rosindell long-standing positions documentation.
Conservative leadership kemi badenoch immediate response
Kemi Badenoch Conservative leader responded describing good day for party stating Rosindell now Nigel Farage’s issue after months defection threats. Senior Tory source noted party supported Rosindell through troubles receiving backstabbing response from MP friends colleagues activists Reform welcome him characterisation.
Badenoch shadow cabinet reshuffle followed compensating frontbench losses Commons business management coordination government opposition effectiveness maintenance. Conservative disciplinary processes standards investigations continuation independent adjudication required Rosindell membership matters procedural fairness execution.
Chagos islands deal central defection trigger explanation
Rosindell identified clear red line Conservative Party failure government opposition actively holding Labour accountable Chagos Islands self-determination British sovereignty defence. MP criticised both parties complicity relinquishing sovereign territory foreign power highlighting national security implications territorial integrity preservation requirements.
Labour government October 2024 Chagos Islands deal Mauritius sovereignty transfer US military base Diego Garcia lease continuation 99 years annual payments security guarantees documentation. Conservative opposition abstention key votes enabling legislation passage sovereignty loss acceptance characterisation Reform UK principled opposition assertion.
Robert jenrick defection precedent week earlier timing
Robert Jenrick former shadow justice secretary defected Reform UK Thursday hours after Badenoch dismissal shadow cabinet planning defection accusation. Jenrick press conference stated Conservatives broke country betrayed voters contributing UK decline requiring new exciting leadership beyond failed consensus.
Jenrick told BBC Sunday Politics nation needs fresh leadership untainted establishment failures Reform UK patriotic renewal vehicle characterisation. Dual high-profile defections Conservative parliamentary cohesion challenges leadership authority consolidation opposition effectiveness maintenance requirements.
Romford constituency political history voter dynamics
Romford Essex constituency Conservative hold since 2001 Rosindell 51.8 percent majority 14,892 votes 2024 general election Brexit-voting working-class demographics Reform UK appeal alignment. Local Reform UK 18 percent vote share 2024 council elections Conservative 42 percent Labour 32 percent upward trajectory indication.
Rosindell committed contesting Romford Reform Andrew Rosindell resigns from Conservatives joins Reform UK party officially candidate May local elections national party branding voter consolidation strategy execution. Conservative Romford association emergency candidate selection addressing parliamentary vacancy local election coordination national strategy recalibration.
Simon Gosden commented personal allegations. Simon Gosden Esq fbpe 3.5% said in X post,
“Andrew Rosindell quits Tories and defects to Reform UK. Alleged sex pest and groper, he will fit in with the rest of them well.”
Andrew Rosindell quits Tories and defects to Reform UK.
Alleged sex pest and groper, he will fit in with the rest of them well. https://t.co/0IZEDvklw0— Simon Gosden. Esq. #fbpe 3.5% 🇪🇺🐟🇬🇧🏴☠️🦠💙 (@g_gosden) January 19, 2026
Nigel farage reform uk leadership recruitment strategy
Nigel Farage Reform UK leader orchestrated strategic defections expanding parliamentary base opposition coordination capacity government scrutiny effectiveness. Farage praised Rosindell great champion Romford true patriot Reform MP team strengthening May 7 election campaign momentum building.
Reform UK local elections target 3,500 council candidates 1,200 seat gains metropolitan boroughs district councils focusing Red Wall marginals voter base consolidation. Party manifesto contract British people immigration freeze small boats return Rwanda economic priorities Rosindell Thatcherite principles alignment.
Labour party opposition reform conservative convergence critique
Labour Party chair Anna Turley stated stench failing dying Tory Party surrounds Reform Nigel Farage unconditional rehabilitation disastrous Conservative record attempt. Turley emphasised public recognition Tories failed Britain Reform repetition commitment assertion opposition coordination continuity.
Liberal Democrats described Rosindell defection non-political earthquake maintaining third party positioning electoral competition differentiation. Labour government legislative programme opposition focus cost living NHS waiting lists economic growth priorities Conservative Reform right-wing convergence marginalisation strategy.
Conservative parliamentary arithmetic government majority erosion
Conservative MPs reduced 120 following Rosindell defection government majority erosion parliamentary business management challenges opposition coordination requirements. Reform UK seven MPs formal grouping Commons question time opposition day debates participation rights establishment procedural impact.
Badenoch leadership conference reform proposals membership vote leadership election threshold reduction grassroots engagement voter loyalty consolidation national election preparation. Party research department defection voter impact analysis Romford Reform nationalisation risk assessment strategy recalibration documentation.
Rosindell political career conservative service record
Andrew Rosindell Romford MP 2001-present select committees foreign affairs Commonwealth defence scrutiny roles constituency casework delivery voter relationship establishment. Shadow minister home affairs 2007-2010 foreign affairs recent appointment Thatcherite principles immigration sovereignty patriot credentials documentation.
Rosindell joined Conservatives age 14 Young Conservatives leadership national officer progression mainstream parliamentary selection achievement. Parliamentary standards investigations past lobbying activities TGVJ Ltd contracts Gibraltar Cayman Islands paid advocacy declarations compliance assertion procedural matters.
Reform uk may local elections strategic positioning
Reform UK May 7 elections 3,500 candidates nationwide target metropolitan councils Red Wall authorities voter penetration expansion documentation. Party defection cut-off alignment recruitment concluding local government foundation national election platform building momentum generation.
Rosindell Romford leadership local campaign national party coordination voter registration drives turnout mobilisation Reform branding consolidation. Conservative local associations candidate selection acceleration addressing defections parliamentary local election dual challenges management.
Kemi badenoch conservative leadership consolidation efforts
Badenoch shadow cabinet reshuffle post-defection Commons management coordination opposition effectiveness maintenance government legislative challenge capacity. Party disciplinary standards processes continuation independent commissioner adjudication membership applications procedural fairness transparency requirements.
Conservative Research Department voter analytics Reform competition nationalisation threat assessment strategy recalibration leadership authority consolidation documentation. Badenoch conference reform grassroots engagement membership democratisation leadership election mechanisms voter loyalty renewal national election preparation.
