Nadhim Zahawi defects to Reform UK, calling Britain 'last chance saloon'

"Zahawi's political career spanned more than a decade at Westminster. Elected as Conservative MP for Stratford-on-Avon in 2010, he held a series of senior cabinet roles under four prime ministers, rising to chancellor in 2022. He stepped down as an MP at the last general election after being forced out of government over a dispute surrounding his tax affairs. Born in Iraq, Zahawi arrived in Britain as a child refugee in the 1970s after fleeing Saddam Hussein's regime."

"Zahawi, 58, was unveiled alongside Farage at a press conference in London, where he warned that Britain was "drinking in the last chance saloon" and said the country "really does need Nigel Farage as prime minister". In a video message announcing his move, the former vaccines minister and chancellor said: "Nothing works, there is no growth, there is crime on our streets and there is an avalanche of illegal migration that anywhere else in the world would be a national emergency.""

Nadhim Zahawi, 58, has defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK and was unveiled alongside Nigel Farage at a London press conference. Zahawi warned Britain is "drinking in the last chance saloon" and said the country "really does need Nigel Farage as prime minister." He said there is no growth, rising crime, and an "avalanche of illegal migration" that would be a national emergency elsewhere. Zahawi served as Conservative MP for Stratford-on-Avon from 2010, held senior cabinet roles under four prime ministers, and became chancellor in 2022. He stepped down at the last election after a dispute over his tax affairs. Born in Iraq, he arrived as a child refugee in the 1970s and later co-founded YouGov.

Read at Business Matters