Jacob Rees-Mogg ‘would win back old seat if he defected to Reform’

Former Tory MP who lost his Somerset seat last year is reportedly ‘agonising’ over possible switch

Daily Telegraph 

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11 May 2025 

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg would win back his seat in the Commons if he defected to Reform UK, analysis suggests.

The former Tory Cabinet minister and ardent Brexiteer is said to be “agonising” over a possible switch to Nigel Farage’s party to help him stage a parliamentary comeback.

Sir Jacob, who lost his Somerset seat in last year’s Labour landslide, has previously said he is “very strongly” considering standing again at the next general election in 2029.

But reports suggest he could secure his return sooner with a commanding majority of more than 20,000 if he jumps ship to Reform.

The former Tory MP is said to be torn over what to do in the event of a by-election to replace his successor, Labour’s Dan Norris, who was arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences.

However, he appeared to rule out a defection to Reform when asked about the prospect by The Telegraph, insisting: “I am a Tory to my fingertips.”

Possible win by huge margin

According to the Mail on Sunday, Reform has calculated that Sir Jacob would win the seat of North East Somerset and Hanham by a huge margin if he ditched the Tories for “Nigel’s gang”.

Mr Norris won the newly-created constituency, which replaced Sir Jacob’s old seat of North East Somerset, by around 5,000 votes in July.

A source told the Mail: “Jacob would love to represent the constituency again. But if he stands as a Tory with the party as it is now, he will lose. If he joins Nigel’s gang, the party calculates he would win a majority of over 20,000.

“Against that is the fact he’s a lifelong, loyal Conservative. He is on the horns of an agonising dilemma.”

A Reform source hinted that the former MP would be accepted into the party, telling The Telegraph: “Reform UK would always consider welcoming patriots who align with our views and values.”

‘Inappropriate to speculate’

Sir Jacob said it is “inappropriate to speculate on such an eventuality”.

He told the Mail: “My fervent hope remains that my party recovers and becomes once again what it should always be – a genuinely Conservative Party both in spirit and actions.

“Sadly, as the last local elections showed most graphically, many sensible-minded voters simply now believe that Labour and the Conservatives have become almost indistinguishable. Kemi is beginning to change this and that must continue.”

The former business secretary and Brexit opportunities minister has previously suggested the Tories should work with Reform to beat Labour.

Speaking on the fringes of last year’s Conservative Party conference, he said: “What should we do? Well, let’s for once model ourselves on David Cameron and make a big and generous offer…

“What if we were to say at the next election, as we did to the liberal unionists, we will not oppose Reform in those 98 seats? I would certainly be open to that as a real opportunity for Reform to win seats from Labour.”

He added: “I think it would help us, it will help them. And we will not win if we do not reunite.”