Braverman defection has Tories scrambling

Yesterday, the Conservative Party reaped widespread criticism as it sunk to a new low in its fight to be taken seriously. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch chose to attack her now-rival with childish slurs against Braverman’s mental health. This comes following Rishi Sunak’s former-cabinet minister defecting to Reform UK yesterday.

Badenoch’s ill-received response to Reform UK’s new recruit chose to infer the controversial move marked a continuation of poor mental health, according to Politico:

It was always a matter of when, not if, Suella would defect. The Conservatives did all we could to look after Suella’s mental health, but she was clearly very unhappy.

Once again, poor political decisions by both Labour and the Conservatives have handed Reform legitimacy and public support, needlessly complicating the fight against the far right.

Politico reported that the spokesperson for Reform UK capitalised on the deplorable tactics of the Tories, stating:

It’s gutter politics, a sign of what the Conservative Party has become.

Badenoch has since deleted the controversial post.

As someone who suffers terribly with #mentalhealth issues, and has been bullied in the workplace, I found this from the #Conservatives distressing and cruel. Nothing else to aim for ? I am glad #SuellaBraverman is out of that toxic environment. I hope she sues !! @reformparty_uk pic.twitter.com/cYBSlsqUSk

— 🌟ALLIE YARM 🌟 (@francewitch) January 27, 2026

Braverman defection: race to the bottom

This latest scandal shows establishment parties sinking to new lows in a scramble to keep up with the rising far-right Reform UK. However, this also shows how the only way to truly defeat ‘bad politicians’ is to be a ‘good’ politician, championing fairness and decency. Not oppression and authoritarianism like the establishment are focused increasingly on.

Reform UK has since managed to tout itself as the “grown-ups,” claiming decency and compassion. But these qualities disappear for brown, Black, and minoritized communities.

Yesterday, we showed how the far right uses minority-ethnic right-wing politicians to whitewash its racist, divisive agenda. The Conservative MP Sajid Javid attempted again to come out smelling of roses compared to Farage and his deplorable racism reported from his younger days. However, as we pointed out, that can only have a positive impact if you are actually any better than those you’re criticising:

Javid has spoken frequently about his humble beginnings, born to a Pakistani Muslim immigrant family in Rochdale. He then rose through the ranks of Conservative politics, using his background as a vantage point to criticise brown people for failing to integrate, or for pointing out government racism.

Back in 2016, the then-communities secretary criticised immigrant communities for failing to embrace the shared values of the UK:

For too long, too many people in this country have been living parallel lives – refusing to integrate and failing to embrace the shared values that make Britain great.

And for too long, too many politicians in this country have refused to deal with the problem.

They’ve ducked the issue for fear of being called a racist, failing the very people they’re supposed to be helping and I will not allow this to continue.

The rate that the two establishment parties are posturing themselves out of contention in future elections is absolutely shameful. In turn, they’re laying the path for a Reform UK government in 2029:

A new low for the Conservatives, claiming Suella Braverman has mental health issues because she has defected to Reform. What a complete disgrace, not fit to even be the official opposition. pic.twitter.com/UWStnko9xg

— Simon Danczuk (@SimonDanczuk) January 27, 2026

Get in the race or get out

Establishment politicians have shown time and time again, they are here for self-interest alone. After all, political vision and ideology are long forgotten. In their place stand greed and reactive posturing, as MPs chase whatever trends make others appear popular.

Labour is growing increasingly authoritarian, and the Tories are sinking into gutter politics. In doing so, the establishment parties have handed Reform a false sheen of superiority that this extremist, billionaire-backed party has no right to claim.

Featured image via the Canary