AssetID: 55096003
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Tory MP Danny Kruger Defects to Reform UK
Caption: Tory MP Danny Kruger Defects to Reform UK. Danny Kruger, Tory MP for East Wiltshire, has become the first sitting Conservative to defect to Reform UK. Elected in 2019, Kruger was a shadow work and pensions minister. He announced his defection with Reform leader Nigel Farage. Kruger said he would not trigger a by-election, arguing the Conservative Party is no longer a credible opposition in Parliament. He accused the Conservatives of growing state control, higher taxes, social decline, and neglecting voters' priorities. While praising Kemi Badenoch personally, Kruger called the Tory brand toxic and said the party was now defined by inaction. Kruger, a longtime Conservative and Brexiteer, was speechwriter for Cameron and political secretary to Boris Johnson. Once critical of Reform UK’s spending, Kruger now backs their revised welfare policies, which better match his views. Kruger is the second sitting MP to join Reform UK after Lee Anderson, bringing the party’s total to five MPs in Parliament. Kruger’s defection is a major setback for Kemi Badenoch’s efforts to reshape the Conservatives and exposes deeper party divisions. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Current Affairs & Politics,Danny Kruger,Reform UK,Tory defection,Nigel Farage,Conservative Party,UK politics,MP switch
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