Nadhim Zahawi Defects From Conservatives to Reform UK

On 12 January 2026, Nadhim Zahawi formally left the Conservative Party and joined Reform UK, making him the highest-ranking former Conservative to switch to the party so far.

Zahawi made his announcement at a press conference in London, where he appeared alongside Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. During the event, he described the UK as “sick” and stated that Britain “really does need Nigel Farage as prime minister.”.

Before this move, Zahawi held several senior roles within the Conservative Party. He served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in 2022 and was Conservative Party chairman until January 2023, when he was dismissed following a breach of the ministerial code related to undisclosed tax investigations.

Zahawi did not stand as a candidate in the 2024 general election and is not currently a Member of Parliament. His defection marks the first time a former Conservative cabinet minister of his rank has joined Reform UK.

What the numbers show

• Zahawi defected on 12 January 2026
• He was Chancellor of the Exchequer in 2022
• He was dismissed as Conservative Party chairman in January 2023
• He did not contest the 2024 general election

In 2015, Zahawi had previously described remarks by Nigel Farage as “offensive and racist” and stated he would be “frightened to live in a country run by him.” This earlier position contrasts with his current support for Farage’s leadership of Reform UK.

According to Conservative sources, Zahawi had requested a peerage multiple times before his defection, but these requests were not granted due to issues related to his tax affairs. This background formed part of the context leading up to his departure from the Conservative Party.

Zahawi’s move to Reform UK follows a period out of elected office, as he has not held a parliamentary seat since choosing not to run in the 2024 general election. His previous roles and recent actions have drawn attention due to the seniority of his former positions within the Conservative Party.

As of his defection, Zahawi remains the most senior former Conservative to join Reform UK, highlighting a notable shift in party alignment among former government officials.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.