Nigel Farage has ‘bulldog spirit’, new Reform MP says as he reveals reason he defected | Politics | News
Andrew Rosundall (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
Nigel Farage has the same “bulldog spirit” as Maragret Thatcher, Andrew Rosunull has insisted after being welcomed into Reform UK. Mr Rosundall is the second Conservative MP to quit within a week, following the departure of Robert Jenrick last Thursday. He said he was persuaded by frontbencher Kemi Badenoch to resign as shadow foreign secretary because of the Conservative Party’s “failure” on Chagossian self-determination.
Speaking to the Daily Express, Mr Rosundall also took a swipe at his former boss, saying his decision to leave was made easier by Ms Badenoch “throwing Rob under the bus” after revealing his plan to defect to Reform. Describing the departure of the two MPs as “spring cleaning”, he added that his remarks had an “ugly side”.
Nigel Farage signs condolence book under former Prime Minister Barone’s portrait (Image: PA)
Read more: Kemi Badenoch warns Tory plotters ‘will be dealt with firmly and fairly’
Kemi Badenoch (Image: PA)
Mr Rosundall, the Conservative MP for Romford since 2001 and a party member for 45 years, said: “I was actually devastated to sit in the chamber and hear that Robert Jenrick had been expelled from the Conservative Party.
“If he had found that document, Kemi should have let him in and talked to him personally. Robert was clearly worth saving.
“So if he’s not worth saving and he’s going to be thrown under the bus, I think someone like me could just as easily be thrown under the bus, too.”
Expressing bitterness towards remarks about his departure, he added: “I think that what they show is a side which I think is quite ugly.
“If I were him, I would be sad to lose two of his hardest-working and strongest Conservative MPs.”
Mr Rosundall joked that his political views meant he was “Reform before he was Reform”.
And he said he had indeed only decided to seek asylum after speaking to Mr Farage on the phone on Saturday and Sunday.
He said he believed Mr Farage, a lifelong admirer of Mrs Thatcher, had similar qualities to the former Conservative Prime Minister.
“He has the spirit of the Bulldog, just like her. He would never weaken against any attack on Britain or British interests. That’s why I think he has the makings of a truly great Prime Minister.”
And I think if Margaret Thatcher were here today, she would admire what she said and what she did, and would absolutely agree with her policies, because her political views are so close to everything she stood for.”
A Conservative Party source said: “Andrew is clearly deluded. Jenrick admitted he had decided to join Reform months ago.
“Nothing is worse than sitting in meetings pretending to be part of the team while still planning to backstab your colleagues.
“Similarly, we all know Andrew is going through difficulties, it’s not a bad thing to point that out.”
“What is disgusting is making flimsy arguments about not singing the national anthem, or lying about the persistent and vocal Tory opposition to the surrender of Chagos because you are also plotting to defect to Reform.
“Kemi moved quickly after the Conservatives’ worst-ever election defeat to set out a set of clear, principled policies on scrapping Net Zero 2050, leaving the ECHR and dropping the welfare bill. By contrast, Reformation is a one-man band with nothing to say about Britain’s future.”
“Reform is a one-man band with nothing to say about the future of Britain.”
