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Latest Tory defection to Reform UK is highest profile yet

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 13 Jan 2026, 10:18am
Nigel Farage, Nadhim Zahawi. (Matthew Chattle/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Nigel Farage, Nadhim Zahawi. (Matthew Chattle/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Latest Tory defection to Reform UK is highest profile yet

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 13 Jan 2026, 10:18am

Another Tory has joined the ranks of Reform UK. 

Nadhim Zahawi is the highest profile member of the UK’s Conservative Party to defect, having served as Chancellor of the Exchequer for Liz Truss and as the Party Chair under Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.  

However, UK Correspondent Rod Liddle told Andrew Dickens, there is a caveat.  

He says Zahawi was asked to resign from his position as Party Chair due to considerable doubt over his income tax returns.  

Liddle says that while Nigel Farage will be pleased there’s another defection, he doesn’t think the Tories will be terribly troubled over their loss. 

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