Ex-Conservative deputy chair among Tory defections to Reform

Three former Conservative MPs have left the party and joined Reform UK.

Former Tory deputy leader Jonathan Gullis, who represents Stoke-on-Trent North until 2024, confirmed he was leaving the party and said he believed the Conservatives had “lost touch with the people they were supposed to serve”.

Former Bolton West MP Chris Green and Lia Nici, who represents Great Grimsby, have also joined Reform, the party confirmed to the BBC.

Staffordshire Conservatives have been approached for comment on Gullis’ departure.

Gullis, who now serves as mayor of Kidsgrove in Staffordshire, said: “The Conservative Party has understandably lost the trust of the British public, from failing to control immigration, both legal and illegal, to pursuing a Net Zero agenda that has caused our home energy bills to soar and put jobs in Stoke-on-Trent’s world-famous ceramics industry at risk.”

His departure comes a month after councilor Daniel Jellyman, leader of the Conservative group on Stoke-on-Trent City Council, also joined Reform UK and became the party’s leader in local government.

During his time in Parliament, Gullis served as Minister for School Standards in the Department for Education and was appointed deputy leader of the Conservative Party last year.

Reform UK won its first seat on the council after councilor Luke Shenton won the by-election in May.

Shenton said: “Jonathan’s decision to join us is a huge boost locally for Reform UK.

“Together we will fight for the hard-working people of Stoke-on-Trent and build a real alternative to this tired political order.”

Green served as MP for Bolton West from 2015 to 2024 and was previously parliamentary private secretary at the Department for Education.

Nici was elected to the seat of Greater Grimsby in 2019, later served in parliament as private secretary to the Prime Minister, before losing her seat in 2024.