Tory peer could defect to Reform over ‘woeful’ migration failings

Lord Jackson of Peterborough says Conservative Party appears unable to offer ‘compelling and attractive alternative’ to Labour

18 August 2025 

Daily Telegraph 

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A Conservative peer has opened the door to joining Reform UK over his party’s “woeful” failings on immigration.

Lord Jackson of Peterborough said the Tories were failing under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership to set out a “compelling and attractive alternative” to the Labour Government.

Reform is currently leading the Conservatives in the polls by an average of around 12 points and made significant gains at their expense at the local elections earlier this year.

Nigel Farage’s party is also outflanking the Tories to the Right on issues including migration, net zero and tax, while doubts remain about Mrs Badenoch’s ability to cut through to voters.

Lord Jackson served as the Conservative MP for Peterborough from 2005 to 2017 before acting as a special adviser to Sir David Davis during his time as Brexit secretary.

The peer, who was ennobled in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list in 2022, has also shared several social media posts by and in support of Mr Farage in recent weeks.

Lord Jackson told The Telegraph: “At the moment, I retain the Conservative whip and support the party in the Lords in actively holding this terrible Labour Government to account in scrutinising its many sub-standard and damaging Bills.

“However, like many, I don’t believe the Conservative Party has adequately addressed its own abysmal final period in office, especially its woeful record on immigration nor set out yet a compelling and attractive alternative prospectus based on enduring Conservative principles.

“I don’t have any plans to leave my party after 42 years but I would also neither rule out joining Reform nor voting for the party but in any event, I believe an electoral arrangement is most likely as the imperative is to remove this damaging Labour Government.”

Net migration reached a record high of almost one million in the year ending July 2023. The Tories also presided over a record number of asylum hotels – almost 400 – later that year.

Mrs Badenoch has since apologised for the Tories’ response to the migrant crisis, vowing to deport every single person who arrives in the UK illegally.

But Conservative MPs remain disillusioned over the party’s messaging on immigration, accusing it of hypocrisy after it repurposed hundreds of hotels to house asylum seekers.

WhatsApp messages leaked to ConservativeHome over the weekend showed members of the 2024 Tory intake accusing party chiefs of “silly” and “p--- poor” communication.

Kevin Hollinrake, the Tory chairman, agreed a recent Tory graphic displaying a “list of perks” enjoyed by asylum seekers was “of concern” but insisted that it would not be deleted.

Lord Jackson also agreed with Mr Farage’s call for the Government to allow him to nominate candidates to become peers in the Lords.

The Reform UK leader had said there was a “democratic disparity” in the upper chamber which means despite leading the polls on 30 per cent and controlling 10 councils, the party still does not have any peers.

“I certainly support the appointment of Reform peers to the House of Lords,” Lord Jackson said.

The Conservative Party was contacted for comment.