Romford MP Dumps Tories for Farage’s Reform Party
In a bombshell move, Romford MP Andrew Rosindell quit the Conservative Party today (January 18), joining Nigel Farage’s Reform Party after two decades as a Tory.
‘Country Before Party’: Rosindell Walks Out Over Chagos Islands Row
Rosindell slammed his old party in a fiery statement: “This evening, with sorrow, I have decided to resign from my position as an opposition shadow minister and as a member of the Conservative & Unionist party.”
He added, “Since joining the Tory party at 14, I have been a loyal supporter of Thatcherite values. But now, it’s time to put the country before the party.”
The trigger? Furious frustration over the Tory government’s failure to defend British sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. He accused both Tories and opposition of “surrendering” this strategic territory to a foreign power.
Tory Hypocrisy on Chagos Islands Sparks MP’s Exit
Rosindell ripped into Conservative peers for letting the British Indian Ocean Territory Bill slide through, blaming party bosses for steamrolling the vote earlier this month.
He lashed out at the Tories as “irreparably tied to mistakes” and unwilling to face up to their “poor decisions.”
He also criticised the party for ignoring his Romford constituents’ concerns for far too long.
Nigel Farage Hails New Reform MP
After talks with Nigel Farage, Rosindell is now Reform’s seventh MP. Farage called him a “great patriot,” adding:
“The Tory lies and hypocrisy over the Chagos Islands betrayal pushed him over the edge. He’ll be a huge boost for our May 7th campaign.”
This defection ratchets up pressure on the Tories just months before the general election, shining a harsh spotlight on the bitter Chagos Islands dispute rocking Westminster.
