Two senior Tories sparked fresh speculation that they could defect to Reform UK after it was announced that they will appear at an event with Nigel Farage’s deputy. Former home secretary Suella Braverman and ex-Brexit negotiator Lord Frost, who are both on the right of the Conservative Party, are due to attend a press conference alongside Reform deputy leader Richard Tice tomorrow.
The Prosperity Institute think tank event will launch a paper by Mrs Braverman on Britain leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), with Lord Frost and Mr Tice taking part in the discussion. In a post on X, the Reform MP said: “Tomorrow at 10am I will be sharing a press conference with David Frost and Suella Braverman. Don’t miss it! Will be live-streamed.”
Former home secretary Suella Braverman (Image: Getty)
Lord Frost added: “Looking forward also to joining Richard Tice and Suella Braverman at Prosperity Institute tomorrow morning to help launch Suella’s important paper on leaving the ECHR and its implications.”
Mrs Braverman said: “Looking forward to discussing my policy paper – written with Guy Dampier – on how to leave the ECHR at Prosperity Institute tomorrow.”
“It’s the first detailed plan which busts myths and sets out clear proposals on Northern Ireland, the Human Rights Act, the EU, and how our civil liberties will be protected after we leave.
“Pleased to be joined by Richard Tice and David Frost for discussion and to have the backing of Arlene Foster.”
Tory peer Lord Frost (Image: Getty)
Mrs Braverman has repeatedly refused to rule out switching to Reform.
The MP for Fareham and Waterlooville told a Telegraph podcast last week: “We can’t ignore the polls. Reform is doing very well at the moment.”
Tory peer Lord Frost has also not ruled out defecting to Mr Farage’s ranks.
He told the Planet Normal podcast in May: “ I’m waiting. What I want is a last chance really for a party on the Right that can deliver meaningful Right-wing, principled policies.
“I’m not emotionally committed to the Conservatives in the way that others are. I want the party that is going to do the job and get the job done, and let’s see how that plays out.”
It comes after close Boris Johnson ally Nadine Dorries became the latest high-profile Tory defection to Reform UK last week on the eve of the insurgent party’s conference.
She joins other former Conservatives including Lee Anderson, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, David Jones, Marco Longhi and Sir Jake Berry.
