Defectors to Reform 'will be let back into Tories after six-month quarantine'

• READ MORE: Reform critics 'dupe their way into Question Time audience' 

By GABRIEL MILLARD-CLOTHIER, POLITICAL REPORTER and DAN HODGES, DAILY MAIL COLUMNIST

Published: 22:32 BST, 3 October 2026 | Updated: 00:31 BST, 4 October 2026

Reform defectors will be placed in 'quarantine' for six months if they want to return to the Tory fold, under plans being drawn up by party chiefs.

The Mail on Sunday understands MPs who want to ditch Nigel Farage in favour of Kemi Badenoch must first sit as independents in the Commons.

Insiders believe the plan would both 'detoxify' those returning from the insurgent Right-wing party and prevent defectors going back again.

The Tory leader has previously said there is no way back to her party for 'drama queens' who defected, but the quarantine plan would provide a workaround.

One senior insider said: 'Kemi's public position is that they are past the point of no return, but privately she is pragmatic. The political advantages of having them back are obvious.'

With a snap poll potentially looming, Mrs Badenoch is already finding candidates to fight seats.

Those with knowledge of the plans say would-be defectors should 'get their skates on' if they want to return to avoid awkward selection clashes.

Of Mr Farage's eight MPs, four were elected as Tories in 2024 – Robert Jenrick, Suella Braverman, Danny Kruger and Andrew Rosindell.

Reform UK Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick arrived at BBC Broadcasting House in London, to appear on the BBC One current affairs programme, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, in September

Reform UK Spokesperson for Education, Skills and Equality Suella Braverman at the Reform UK Party Conference in Birmingham

Senior party sources say some of these former Tories may be 'tempted' to rejoin their old party after a difficult summer for Reform. Some former Tories have told this newspaper about the animosity they have faced in Reform after they joined.

Tory HQ has reached out to those they think might come back to make them aware of the plans being considered by party chairman Kevin Hollinrake.

The six-month timetable may be truncated if Andy Burnham calls an early election.

The dramatic move would capitalise on a shift in political fortunes for the respective leaders. In the past year, Reform has crashed eight points in the polls to their lowest point in two years, while the Tories have steadily increased, according to the Politico poll of polls.

Strategists hope it would show voters that they too can return from Reform to the Tories, amid a collapse in support for former Ukip leader Mr Farage.

Some seat-by-seat projections already show Mrs Badenoch would end up with more MPs than Mr Farage, after Reform's torrid summer, dogged by scandal over donations.