Marco Longhi Defects to Reform UK Party

Marco Longhi, the former Conservative MP for Dudley North, has defected to Nigel Farage's Reform UK party, citing a transformation of the Conservative Party into an 'unrecognizable' entity influenced by the left. Longhi, who lost his seat in the last general election, claimed he could no longer support a party that prioritizes elite interests over the people's needs, promising to remain loyal to the electorate if re-elected. His move marks the third defection from the Conservative Party to Reform UK since the last election, with a recent poll suggesting Reform UK could gain up to 120 seats in a future election. Longhi also pointed to issues such as unchecked immigration and high taxation as motivating factors for his switch. He emphasized the need to address broader questions about political funding in light of potential donations from figures like Elon Musk. This defection adds pressure on the Conservative Party amid ongoing leadership challenges.