Big Name Tory Defects To Reform.

Top Tory defects to Reform in major blow to Kemi Badenoch.

Both Conservatives and Labour have failed Britain's Armed Forces, according to former Defence Minister Sarah Atherton.

By Steph Spyro, Deputy Political Editor

12:00, Thu, Oct 2, 2025

Kemi Badenoch has lost another top Tory to Reform (Image: PA/Parliament)

Former Defence Minister Sarah Atherton has defected to Reform in a blow to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch.

The ex-Tory MP, who served in the Intelligence Corps, accused the Conservatives and Labour of having “failed Britain’s Armed Forces”.

She said Britain “deserves better” which "is why Reform has my support”.

Writing in the Daily Express, Ms Atherton said: “After years in Parliament, I came to the same conclusion many soldiers, sailors and aviators already know: the system doesn’t listen. Both Conservatives and Labour have failed Britain’s Armed Forces. The Conservatives promised strength but delivered weakness.”

She pointed to troop numbers being their lowest in modern history while recruitment targets have been repeatedly missed.

Ms Atherton, who was the MP for Wrexham up until last year’s general election, warned the Navy continues to struggle to crew the ships we have, while the RAF mothballs aircraft faster than it replaces them.