Another Conservative figure, Nadhim Zahawi, has switched his allegiance to Reform UK, marking a significant move for Nigel Farage’s party. Zahawi, a former Cabinet Minister recognized for his role in the Covid vaccine rollout, faced controversy when he was dismissed from the Government for violating the ministerial code by not disclosing his tax affairs investigation while serving as Chancellor. He later paid a substantial sum of £5 million to HMRC, including a penalty.
Zahawi’s past includes claiming electricity bills for his stables on expenses in 2013 and facing scrutiny for attending a men-only event in 2018 where reports of misconduct towards hostesses surfaced. While Zahawi’s background in business makes him an attractive prospect for Reform in their donor outreach efforts, his elite status contrasts with the party’s anti-establishment image.
Farage’s recruitment of ex-Tory members like Zahawi raises questions about Reform’s independence from traditional Conservative values. Despite Zahawi’s denial of seeking a peerage before defecting, the Tories have expressed discontent over his departure. Zahawi joins a growing list of Boris Johnson loyalists defecting to Reform, signaling a lack of confidence in Johnson’s political future.
In justifying his move, Zahawi stated that the country is in a state of decline, ignoring his own contributions under the previous Tory administrations. Whether the public will embrace Reform as the solution to Britain’s woes remains uncertain.
