Suella Braverman ‘definitely not defecting’ to Reform despite rife speculation ahead of press conference
Suella Braverman is ‘definitely not defecting’ to Reform despite rife speculation ahead of her appearance at a press conference tomorrow with Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice.
Fareham and Waterlooville MP Suella Braverman is set appear at a press conference with Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice, fuelling speculation of a defection to the party. She will be joined at the event by Lord Frost, the former chief Brexit negotiator, which is set to be livestreamed.
Mr Tice on Wednesday posted on X: “Tomorrow at 10am I will be sharing a press conference with @DavidGHFrost and @SuellaBraverman
“Don’t miss it! Will be live streamed.”
Her office, however denies that she is planning to defect. A spokesman said: "She is definitely not defecting."
On her own X feet, Suella herself has said that she was looking forward to outlining plans for leaving European Convention on Human Rights tomorrow.
She said: “Looking forward to discussing my policy paper - written with @dampierguy - on how to leave the ECHR at @Prosperity_Inst tomorrow. It’s the first detailed plan which busts myths and sets out clear proposals on Northern Ireland, the Human Rights Act, the EU, and how our civil liberties will be protected after we leave.”
A defection to Nigel Farage’s party by former home secretary Ms Braverman would not have come as a surprise to many, with her being vocal on a number of issues close to the hearts of Reform voters - including speaking out against migrant housing plans in both Fareham and Waterlooville.
She has repeatedly refused to rule out ditching the Conservatives and told The Telegraph’s Planet Normal podcast last week: “We can’t ignore the polls. Reform is doing very well at the moment.”
Her husband, Rael Braverman, was a member of Reform for a few months before quitting in July due to criticism of his wife over her immigration policies while at the helm of the Home Office.
The speculation comes after other local politicians jumped ship to join Reform. Portsmouth city councillors George Madgwick and Raymond Dent defected from the Portsmouth Independents Party, and former Conservative councillor and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Terry Norton have also joined Reform UK in recent months.