Author: Darren Smith

A wave of high-profile defections from the Conservative Party to Reform UK has intensified in early 2026, raising questions about the future direction of Britain’s traditional party of the right. The most recent departure came on January 26, 2026, when Suella Braverman, the former Home Secretary and MP for Fareham, announced her defection at a Reform rally in London. Speaking at the event, Ms Braverman said she felt “like I’ve come home” after 30 years as a Conservative, and accused the Tories of “betrayal” on border control and what she described as lies about the European Convention on Human Rights.…

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, declaring that joining Nigel Farage’s party “feels like I have come home.” Ms Braverman was unveiled by Mr Farage at a Veterans for Reform event in London today, confirming months of speculation about her political future. The former Cabinet minister, who served as Home Secretary under both Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, had long been regarded as a likely candidate to cross the floor. She sat on the right wing of the Conservative Party and had repeatedly urged the Tories to pursue an electoral pact with…

Andy Burnham has criticised Sir Keir Starmer and his allies after being denied permission to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election, warning he is “concerned” about the impact the decision may have on upcoming elections. The Greater Manchester Mayor was blocked from contesting the seat by Labour’s 10-strong National Executive Committee, which ruled that allowing his candidacy would trigger an unnecessary mayoral by-election. In a statement released this afternoon, Mr Burnham expressed his disappointment and took aim at those in control of the party’s ruling body. Writing on X, he said he had put himself forward to prevent “the…

Hungary’s corporate tax rate of 7.5 per cent has placed it ahead of traditional tax havens including Ireland, Cyprus and Malta, according to findings from the European Parliament’s Special Committee on Financial Crimes, Tax Evasion and Tax Avoidance. The committee identified Hungary as one of seven European countries displaying characteristics of a tax haven, with its low multinational tax rate raising concerns about aggressive tax planning structures being exploited by international corporations. Co-rapporteur Jeppe Kofod stated: “Europe has a serious money laundering and tax fraud problem. We have the world’s largest, richest and most integrated single market with free movement…