Lord Jackson of Peterborough refuses to rule out switch after 42 years as Conservative member amid party’s polling collapse
Lord Jackson has opened the door to a potential defection to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK over the Tory Party’s “woeful” failings on migration, refusing to rule out abandoning the Conservatives after more than four decades as a card-carrying member.
The ex-Peterborough MP, who later served as an adviser to then-Brexit Secretary David Davis, said the Conservative Party had failed to adequately address its “abysmal” record in office or set out a compelling alternative to Labour’s government.
Lord Jackson, 60, made the explosive comments as Reform UK continues to dominate the polls, leading the Conservatives by an average of around 12 points and claiming victory in May’s local elections where they won 677 council seats and control of 10 councils.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Lord Jackson said: “At the moment, I retain the Conservative whip and support the party in the Lords in actively holding this terrible Labour Government to account in scrutinising its many sub-standard and damaging Bills.”
However, he added: “Like many, I don’t believe the Conservative Party has adequately addressed its own abysmal final period in office, especially its woeful record on immigration nor set out yet a compelling and attractive alternative prospectus based on enduring Conservative principles.
In a statement that will send shockwaves through Conservative headquarters, the peer declared: “I don’t have any plans to leave my party after 42 years but I would also neither rule out joining Reform nor voting for the party but in any event, I believe an electoral arrangement is most likely as the imperative is to remove this damaging Labour Government.”
Lord Jackson has long acknowledged that Mr Farage poses a major threat to the Tory Party, having first warned Conservative colleagues about the rise of Ukip in 2012. The peer has also expressed his glee about Mr Farage “annoy[ing] all the most smug and entitled people.”
Last week, he agreed with the Clacton MP that Reform UK should have the right to nominate members to the House of Lords. “I certainly support the appointment of Reform peers to the House of Lords,” Lord Jackson said, backing Farage’s claim of a “democratic disparity” in the upper chamber.
Reform UK has already secured 11 defections from ex-Tory MPs, including nine since the 2024 General Election. High-profile Conservative defectors include former cabinet members Sir Jake Berry and David Jones, alongside multiple former MPs including Adam Holloway, Anne Marie Morris, Marco Longhi, and Ross Thomson.
Lord Jackson, who was ennobled as Baron Jackson of Peterborough in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list in 2022, served as Conservative MP for Peterborough from 2005 to 2017. He lost his seat to Labour’s Fiona Onasanya by just 607 votes before becoming chief of staff to David Davis at the Department for Exiting the European Union.
The peer has shared several social media posts by and in support of Mr Farage in recent weeks, fuelling speculation about his political loyalties. His potential defection would represent a significant coup for Reform UK as they seek to establish themselves as a credible alternative to the Conservatives.
Reform UK is currently outflanking the Tories to the Right on issues including migration, net zero and tax, while doubts remain about Kemi Badenoch’s ability to cut through to voters as Conservative leader. The party’s surge has already prompted panic among both major parties.
In May’s local elections, Reform won two mayoralties and made significant gains across England, with former Conservative minister Andrea Jenkyns becoming Greater Lincolnshire’s mayor after defecting to Farage’s party. The results saw the Conservatives lose control of 15 county councils and nearly 700 councillors.
The possibility of further high-profile defections has put at least three Conservative MPs on “defection watch,” according to party insiders. Suella Braverman, whose husband Rael switched to Reform last year, has repeatedly refused to rule out joining Farage’s party, highlighting the “common ground” shared by many Tory MPs and Reform members.
Reform’s momentum has been bolstered by reports of potential major donations, including speculation about a $100 million contribution from American businessman Elon Musk, though both Farage and Musk have downplayed such claims.
Lord Jackson’s comments come as WhatsApp messages leaked over the weekend showed members of the 2024 Tory intake accusing party chiefs of “silly” and “p— poor” communication, highlighting growing dissatisfaction within Conservative ranks.
The peer’s willingness to consider defection reflects broader concerns about the Conservative Party’s direction under Badenoch’s leadership. Recent polling suggests Reform could win 271 seats if an election were held now, making them the largest party in a hung parliament.
Political analysts suggest Lord Jackson’s potential defection could trigger a chain reaction among disillusioned Conservatives, particularly those on the party’s right wing who feel the leadership has abandoned core conservative principles on immigration and other key issues.
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Image Credit (Shortened):
Official portrait of Lord Jackson of Peterborough (30 Jan 2024) – by Roger Harris, licensed under CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
