Former Tory MP Marco Longhi’s defection to Reform UK was “strategically motivated”, the man he replaced has revealed.
Andrew Southall had stood for Nigel Farage’s party in Dudley at the election last summer – where he received just under 10,000 votes, while Longhi took home just over that number.
Ultimately, Labour’s Sonia Kumar won the seat with 12,215 votes – but Longhi and Southall combined dwarfed her total, with 19,757 ballots cast for the pair.
But on January 3, Longhi switched allegiance to Reform – which Southall said was a complete surprise.
“I found out on the Friday night when the news broke. I won’t lie – a little heads-up would’ve been a nice courtesy,” he told GB News.
“It would’ve gone a long way to maintain goodwill, especially given my role as the Dudley branch chair and the work I put in to help build up Reform UK in the area.
Andrew Southall had stood for Nigel Farage’s party in Dudley at the election last summer
“We went from polling around four per cent in November 2023 to becoming a serious contender… That kind of growth doesn’t happen overnight.”
Southall added that the former Tory MP “wasn’t exactly thrilled about having to face a Reform UK candidate” last summer.
He said there was “definitely a sense that he felt entitled to an unopposed run” – and joked: “But competition is healthy for democracy, isn’t it?”
“I’d even say he made it clear how he felt; he shook everyone’s hand on election night after the results were announced… except mine. I suppose that’s a badge of honour, in a way.
“When Marco announced his plans to stand under the Reform UK banner in a seat I’d worked hard to develop, it became apparent to me that my efforts would ultimately benefit him, not the party’s grassroots movement.
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Southall added that the former Tory MP ‘wasn’t exactly thrilled about having to face a Reform UK candidate’ at the General Election
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“As a result, I decided to step down as Dudley branch chair. Reform UK is polling consistently well in the seat now, and while I’m proud of that progress, it’s clear Marco’s move was strategically motivated.
“Perhaps Robert Jenrick not winning the Conservative leadership contest was an additional factor in his defection.”
It comes as fears are rising both inside and out that the party could risk becoming “Tory 2.0” as more Conservatives switch allegiances.
Reform’s former deputy leader Ben Habib told GB News that the party “is not too concerned about the type of Tory being taken on” – and warned that “some that have been taken on have already prompted resignations of good, young, successful Reform members and candidates”.
“Farage has assessed it is easier to create a party by absorbing Tories, than it is to grow organically,” he added.
Ben Habib told GB News that the party ‘is not too concerned about the type of Tory being taken on’
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At the party’s North West regional conference on Saturday, Tory defectors were met with suspicion.
Malcolm Webster, who came in second place in St Helens North last summer, told GB News that the party does not want “career politicians” who “just see the way the wind’s blowing”.
While two grassroots members, who signed up just before Christmas, also said they were uneasy at the prospect of defectors “only doing it for their own gain”.
“Reform has to be careful,” one, who asked not to be named, said.
Organisers also confirmed what chairman Zia Yusuf had told GB News last week – Reform UK is receiving more applications to join than it knows what to do with.
Reform UK is receiving more applications to join than it knows what to do with, Zia Yusuf said
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“We have seen huge growth in those seeking to defect to Reform, despite no outreach efforts,” he said.
But with the party’s eyes on the next General Election – be that in 2029 or sooner – some think that Westminster experience might be needed.
“It’s not a necessity, but it is an advantage,” said Nick Goulding, who stood for Reform UK in Chester North last summer.
He added that any successful defector must show evidence of “true, small-c conservative” values – but that if they did, they’d be welcome in Reform’s “broad church”.
Southall also counselled calm on the idea – after Longhi’s defection, he said Richard Tice “assured me that the candidate selection process for next time will be fair and transparent” as the party continues its expansion and professionalisation.
Southall said Richard Tice ‘assured me that the candidate selection process for next time will be fair and transparent’
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He said: “Everyone will have to go through interviews and be selected by constituency branch members at a hustings meeting.
“That’s a positive step forward for Reform UK and one I fully support – it should be an even keel for all whether hopeful candidates are former Reform or Brexit Party candidates, Tory defectors, or the next wave of brave members of the public who wish to put their head above the parapet for the first time.
“If there is a risk of Reform UK becoming Tory 2.0, it is now clear to me that it will be the people’s choice to see who will represent them as their local candidate.
“If they don’t want Tory 2.0, they won’t vote in those candidates. If they do, they will – it’s their choice.”
He added: “For now, I’m focusing on helping out at the grassroots level across the West Midlands. I’ve met some incredible people along the way, and it’s been a privilege to support their efforts.
“It’s a nice feeling to receive so many invitations to attend all these meetings! I’m also continuing my political commentary to raise my personal profile and keep the conversations going.
“With potentially four years until the next general election, I’ll be using that time to assess where I can make the most impact.
“Ultimately, it’ll depend on where the public feels I can best serve them – much like in football terms, I am a ‘free agent’ when it comes to constituencies.”
GB News has approached Marco Longhi for comment.
