Former leading Tory Sir Jake Berry joins Nigel Farage's Reform UK
Sir Jake, who served as Tory chairman in Liz Truss' short-lived government, said his former party had 'lost their way' as he left the Conservatives.
Speaking to the Sun newspaper, the new Reform member added: 'Old Westminster politics has failed.
'Millions of people, just like me, want a country they can be proud of again. The only way we get that is with Reform in government.'
Britain needs Reform! https://t.co/kNq74pTAeb
— Sir Jake Berry (@JakeBerry) July 9, 2025
Sir Jake is the second former Cabinet minister in a week to join Reform, after ex-Welsh secretary David Jones announced he enrolled as a member.
Other ex-Tories who have joined Reform include Marco Longhi, Anne Marie Morris, Ross Thomson, Aiden Burley and Dame Andrea Jenkyns, now the mayor of Greater Lincolnshire.
The former MP for Rossendale and Darwen lost his seat in the 2024 general election to Labour's Andy MacNae, who had a majority of 6,000 over Sir Jake.
Mr MacNae won with 18,246 votes to Sir Jake's 12,619.
Reform's candidate Daniel Matchett followed in a close third with 9,695 votes.
Since his loss, Sir Jake has worked in broadcasting, hosting a show on Talk TV.
Before serving in Ms Truss's government, he was a minister during both Boris Johnson and Theresa May's premierships, with responsibilities focused on the Northern Powerhouse and levelling up.
In a video published alongside the Sun's reporting, Sir Jake spoke of his time in government.
After claiming that 'Britain is broken', he added: 'I know who broke it because I was there.
'For 30 years I supported the Conservative Party, for 14 years I was one of their MPs, sitting at that Cabinet table twice.
'I want to tell you today my friends that I have come to a decision. The old parties do not have what it takes to transform our country, to build a Britain we can believe in again, and that's why I've decided to join the Reform Party.'
Sir Jake, who opposed Brexit ahead of the 2016 referendum, commended his new party leader Mr Farage for having 'always stuck by his principles, even when it was unpopular'.
Mr Farage 'doesn't change his views, when the political weather changes', Sir Jake said, adding: 'Because you know you can trust him, I can trust him too and that's why I'm going to spend every day campaigning to ensure that Nigel Farage and Reform form the next government of this great United Kingdom.'
A Labour Party spokesperson, said: 'Not content with taking advice from Liz Truss, Nigel Farage has now tempted her Tory party chairman into his ranks.
'It's clear Farage wants Liz Truss's reckless economics, which crashed our economy and sent mortgages spiralling, to be Reform's blueprint for Britain. It's a recipe for disaster and working people would be left paying the price.
'Only our Labour Government is putting more money in people's pockets, boosting British jobs, and delivering the renewal our country needs through our Plan for Change.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
43 minutes ago
- Daily Record
NHS in Scotland 'stuck in analogue age' as health boards shell out millions on pagers
Labour claimed the continued reliance on the devices proved the SNP Government was failing to equip the NHS for the 21st century. Scotland's NHS is " stuck in an analogue age" after it was revealed that health boards have shelled out millions of pounds on pagers in recent years. The devices were widely used in the 1980s and 1990s for instant communication before being replaced long ago by smartphones. Scottish Labour said the continued reliance on the devices proved the SNP Government was failing to equip the NHS for the 21st century. Data obtained by the party found health boards had spent at least £4,596,608 on pagers since 2018/19, with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spending almost £1.8 million and NHS Lothian spending close to £1 million. But the total figure is expected to be higher as some health boards failed to respond to a freedom of information request. Spending on pagers increased in at least seven health boards, while rising by 8 percent overall between 2018/19 and 2024/ Labour is now calling for improvements to hospital WiFi to reduce reliance on outdated technology like pagers and improve service delivery. At least 13 fax machines — used for sending messages instantly before emails — are still in use in Scottish hospitals. Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour health spokeswoman, said: "The UK Labour government is setting out a blueprint for NHS England's digital future, but the SNP, Scotland's NHS is still stuck in an analogue age. "The SNP has been in power for as long as the iPhone has existed, yet all analogue John has invented is excuses. Getting reliable WiFi in Scottish hospitals is the bare minimum the Scottish Government should do to bring our NHS into the 21 st century. "While English patients will soon be able to book appointments by app, the SNP can only promise a pilot for dermatology appointments in Lanarkshire. "Only Scottish Labour can take our NHS out of the SNP's analogue age — that's the new direction Scotland needs." It comes after Wes Streeting last week branded John Swinney an "analogue politician". The UK Health Secretary took a swipe at the First Minister as plans were announced to expand the NHS app available for patients in England. The Scottish version has yet to launch. Streeting said: "The UK Labour government is embracing technology to deliver a better NHS for patients and their families, giving them more control and transparency over their treatment. "In John Swinney the SNP have an analogue politician in a digital age and patients in Scotland are missing out. The SNP have record funding and complete control of the NHS in Scotland. "There are no excuses for [not having an app in place] and it just shows why Scotland can't afford a third decade of the SNP." A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'This spend of £4.6 million since 2018/19 must be seen in the context of an NHS budget that was more than £100 billion over the same period. 'While innovation and use of digital technology is essential to ensure the health and social care system's long-term sustainability, health boards should deploy the technology that enables NHS staff to best serve the needs of patients. "We expect health boards to embrace the latest tools, but also understand that pagers may be more practical and preferred in some cases. 'We have already taken significant steps through our Operational Improvement Plan and Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework to set out clear actions to harness digital innovation, improve access to treatment, shift the balance of care into the community and strengthen prevention.'
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
New proposals to cut PIP and disability benefits ahead of full review
The Centre for Social Justice has called for emergency measures to be brought in to reduce the number of people currently on the benefit New plans to slash Personal Independence Payment (PIP) have been put forward, aligning with a forthcoming Government review of the benefit. Currently, Labour has paused any steps regarding PIP within its welfare overhaul due to a backlash from MPs and activists for disability rights. Originally, there was a move to impose a four-point rule to tighten PIP accessibility. This would've meant claimants needing at least one tally of four points in assessed daily living activities to qualify. However, modifications to PIP are now set to follow only after Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, conducts a thorough examination. READ MORE: 'I'm a beauty writer - the new ghd curling wand gave me perfect waves in 15 mins' Slated for completion by Autumn 2026, the 'Timms Review' vows to be "co-produced with disabled people, along with the organisations that represent them, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard." The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), a centre-right think tank, is urging for an expedited review and argues for a significant reform of PIP to "redirect funding from long-term cash payments." In the updated 'Change the Prescription' report, the CSJ outlines several proposals concerning eligibility for PIP and the health component of Universal Credit, reports Birmingham Live. Amongst their suggestions is the ceasing of PIP and Universal Credit health benefits for individuals experiencing slighter forms of anxiety, depression, and ADHD - a change that could impact over a million beneficiaries, including those currently receiving standard-rate PIP for such conditions. For those who continue to be eligible due to receiving the enhanced rate of PIP, their payments would be cut by roughly £80 a week to match the standard rate. The report estimates this would save £7.4 billion annually by 2029/2030 and suggests that £1 billion of this could be reinvested in frontline mental health services such as NHS Talking Therapies, local support groups, work coaches and community interventions. The think tank suggests that limiting eligibility for PIP and the UC health element to the most severe cases of anxiety, depression and ADHD would save approximately £8.8 billion. Joe Shalam, policy director at the CSJ, said: "Liz Kendall deserves credit for tackling the perverse incentives that have crept into the welfare system since Covid. "People who cannot work due to sickness or disability must always be protected, but as our research shows, too many people are trapped in a cycle of dependency and wasted potential. "By tightening eligibility for mental health benefits and investing in therapy and employment support, ministers can save public money and transform lives. The Timms Review must be brought forward to Autumn, there is no time to lose." Labour's welfare reforms bill was supported by MPs only after a £5 billion reduction to PIP was dropped. However, the CSJ argues that the rising number of PIP claims are contributing to a significant gap between welfare and work that needs immediate attention. The report suggests that a person who is economically inactive and on Universal Credit, including the average housing element to cover their rent, and also receiving PIP, would have a taxpayer-funded Government income of around £25,000 - this increases to £27,500 for those awarded the highest rate of PIP. However, this amount drops to £22,550 once the welfare bill's cut to the Universal Credit health element for new claimants is considered. In contrast, a full-time worker earning the National Living Wage (NLW) is projected to make £22,500 after paying income tax and National Insurance, creating a £2,500 disparity between work and welfare for existing claimants. The CSJ argues that the gap widens even further when additional benefits are factored in. For instance, an unemployed single parent, claiming PIP for anxiety and disability allowance for a child with additional needs such as ADHD, would receive £36,900, which is over £14,000 more than the net wages of a full-time worker on the National Living Wage.
Western Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Loyalist bonfire on site with asbestos lit despite warnings
Effigies of the Irish rap group Kneecap topped a different bonfire in south Belfast, while there was condemnation at the placing of Irish flags and sectarian slogans on other pyres in loyalist neighbourhoods. Elsewhere, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service also tackled a gorse blaze in the Belfast Hills off the Ballyutoag Road. Firefighters tackle a blaze in the Belfast Hills off the Ballyutoag Road late on Friday night (Rebecca Black/PA) The bonfire at Meridi Street, off the Donegall Road in south Belfast, had been the focus of warnings, political rows and legal challenges throughout the week. Earlier on Friday, Stormont Environment Minister Andrew Muir urged that the bonfire on a site that contains asbestos and is also close to an electricity sub-station, which powers two major hospitals in the city, not be lit. However it was lit as planned late on Friday while hundreds of other bonfires were also set alight in the July 11 tradition ahead of the Orange Order's July 12 parades on Saturday. Effigies of controversial Irish rappers Kneecap above a message in the Irish language, which translated into English reads 'Murder your local Kneecap' following comments made by the Irish rappers about Tory MPs, placed on a bonfire on Roden Street in Belfast (Niall Carson/PA) Another bonfire nearby at Roden Street was topped with effigies of Kneecap, as well as a sign written in the Irish language. A bonfire in Eastvale Avenue in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, features the group on a poster with the wording 'Kill Your Local Kneecap', seemingly in response to a clip that emerged from a gig in 2023, which appeared to show a member saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' There was also criticism of the placing of Irish flags and sectarian slogans on a number of bonfires including one in the Highfield area of west Belfast. A bonfire is set alight in the Highfield area of west Belfast on Friday night (Rebecca Black/PA) A small number of bonfires were lit on Thursday night, including the controversial pyre in Moygashel, Co Tyrone, which had been widely criticised by political representatives and church leaders after it was topped with an effigy of migrants in a boat. In a statement released ahead of the fire being lit, the PSNI said they were investigating a hate incident in relation to the fire. Effigies of migrants in a boat burn atop a bonfire at Moygashel, Co Tyrone, ahead of events to mark the Twelfth of July (Niall Carson/PA) The boat on top of the bonfire contained more than a dozen life-sized mannequins wearing life jackets. Below the boat were several placards, one saying: 'Stop the boats', and another saying: 'Veterans before refugees'.
