Romford MP Andrew Rosindell becomes latest Tory to defect to Reform

"The failure of the Conservative party both when in government and more recently in opposition to actively hold the government to account on the issue of Chagossian self-determination and the defence of British sovereignty, represents a clear red line for me. Since entering parliament in 2001, I have consistently argued, both from the backbenches and the frontbench, that the right of self-determination of the Chagossian people is sacrosanct, and that they alone should decide the future sovereignty of the Chagos Islands."

"Regrettably, these concerns have fallen on deaf ears. Both the government and the opposition have been complicit in the surrender of this sovereign British territory to a foreign power. This was made abundantly clear by the failure of Conservative peers to vote down the British Indian Ocean territory bill at third reading earlier this month, following direction from the top of the party."

Andrew Rosindell joined Reform UK after representing Romford in Parliament since 2001. He originally joined the Conservative Party at 14, inspired by Margaret Thatcher’s principles, but says country must come before party. He identifies Conservative failure to hold the government to account on Chagossian self-determination and defence of British sovereignty as a red line. He has consistently argued that the Chagossian people alone should decide the future sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. He criticizes both government and opposition for complicity in surrendering the territory and faults Conservative peers for not blocking the British Indian Ocean Territory bill. Rosindell, 59, follows other defectors including Robert Jenrick and Nadhim Zahawi.

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