"Both a surprise and a huge disappointment" - Fareham and Waterlooville Conservative Association react to Suella Braverman's defection to Reform UK
One day after Suella Braverman announced her defection to Reform UK the chairman of her former Conservative association has revealed his disappointment.
Manuel Martins, chairman of Fareham and Waterlooville Conservative Association, has said he had “recent assurances” that Ms Braverman would not be moving. As such yesterday’s news came as a surprise to him and his colleagues as she held a press conference sitting alongside her new party leader Nigel Farage.
Mr Martins said: “Because of assurances and recent reassurances, Suella Braverman’s defection to the Reform UK party came as both a surprise and a huge disappointment.”
The website of the association still holds Ms Braverman’s contact details as the head of the constituency office as the dust settles on her departure. Despite the shock, Mr Martins praised the Fareham and Waterlooville MP for her hard work as a Conservative MP and had hoped that she would be at the forefront of the party’s rejuvenation.
He said: “Suella has worked hard and diligently as a Conservative MP on behalf of her constituency and especially, as far as I am concerned, for Fareham and Waterlooville Conservative Association.
“It was hoped that with her politics firmly anchored in the ethos of conservatism she would form part of the fulcrum around which the party could rejuvenate. She held conservative values that a wide spectrum of our constituents and members so value.
“The local Conservative Party members and councillors will continue working together focusing on issues that impact on local residents and fighting the upcoming local elections.”
Ms Braverman joins a growing contingent of Conservative MPs who have joined Reform UK, with Robert Jenrick defecting last week. Other recent defections include former chancellor Nadim Zahawi, Sarah Pochin, Nadine Dorris, Jonathan Gullis, and Chris Green.