Former finance minister Nadhim Zahawi has quit the Conservative Party to join Nigel Farage's Reform UK, saying Britain is "broken" and needs Farage as prime minister. Zahawi, who briefly served under Boris Johnson in 2022 and helped lead the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, is not currently an MP after opting out of the 2024 election. Reform leads the polls despite holding just five of 650 seats, and the Conservatives dismissed the defection as opportunistic.
Nadhim Zahawi Defects to Nigel Farage's Reform UK, Declares "Britain Is Broken"
Former British government minister Nadhim Zahawi speaks at a press conference held by Britain’s Reform UK Party, where he announces his defection from the country’s Conservative Party to Nigel Farage's right‑wing party, in London, Britain, January 12, 2026. REUTERS/Hiba Kola
LONDON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Former finance minister Nadhim Zahawi on Monday announced he had left the Conservative Party to join Nigel Farage's right-wing Reform UK, saying the country was "broken" and that Farage was needed as prime minister to fix it.
Zahawi briefly oversaw the nation's finances under former prime minister Boris Johnson in 2022 and is the latest ex-Conservative to jump to Farage's populist Reform UK. He is not currently a Member of Parliament after choosing not to stand at the 2024 national election.
Why the Move Matters
Reform UK currently leads British opinion polls despite holding only five of the 650 seats in Parliament. The party's surge has been attributed to its appeal to voter frustration on issues such as immigration, crime and perceived declines in public services — themes Zahawi echoed at his announcement.
Former British government minister Nadhim Zahawi speaks at a press conference held by Britain’s Reform UK Party, where he announces his defection from the country’s Conservative Party to Nigel Farage's right‑wing party, in London, Britain, January 12, 2026. REUTERS/Hiba Kola
"Britain needs Nigel Farage as prime minister," Zahawi said at the press conference announcing his defection. "Even if you don't yet realize that Britain needs Reform, you know in your heart of hearts that our wonderful country is sick."
Background
Alongside a two-month spell as finance minister during a turbulent period for the Conservatives, Zahawi held several senior roles in the party and was credited with helping to drive the UK's COVID-19 vaccine rollout. He was later removed as Conservative Party chairman by then-leader Rishi Sunak after an internal investigation found he had committed a serious breach by failing to be transparent about a tax probe.
The Conservative Party responded to the defection with a dismissive statement: "Reform is fast becoming the party of has-been politicians looking for their next gravy train," a party spokesman said.
Britain's next general election is not due until 2029, meaning Zahawi's move is likely to carry symbolic and media weight as Reform seeks to convert poll support into a broader political base.
(Reporting by William James; editing by Michael Holden)
Help us improve.
