"This should not be allowed", "excellent news" - mixed reaction to defection of Suella Braverman to Reform
Readers of The News have reacted to Suella Braverman’s defection from the Conservatives to Reform UK.
The Fareham and Waterlooville MP announced the decision on Monday, January 26 with Ms Braverman becoming Reform’s eighth MP despite denying having plans to defect last year.
She was first elected as a Conservative MP in 2015 but has held a Tory membership for 30 years, previously serving as home secretary under the governments of Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.
News of her defection has drawn a mixed response from readers of The News. Commenting on Facebook, one reader said: “This should not be allowed. The public voted for her as a Conservative MP not a Reform MP. “
Those sentiments were echoed by another reader who said “that’s my vote she’s lost” and another who commented “there should be a by-election for Fareham now”.
While a number of readers called for a by-election there is no rule in place forcing one when a MP changes party. It is the MP that represents the constituency rather than the party. Councillors from Fareham Borough Council have today called for Ms Braverman to resign and call a by-election.
There were also a number of people who have celebrated the announcement with one person commenting: “Excellent news. A great MP who's values and principles are in the right place.”
While others heralded it as “great news” and “brilliant”.
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, Chris Green, and others.