Nadhim Zahawi, the one-time Tory chancellor and former vaccines minister, has joined Reform UK. But is that a good thing? For some, his defection is yet another coup for the populist upstarts at the expense of the sinking Conservatives. For others, the arrival of the smooth-talking Tory grandee raises the hackles, suggesting Reform is slowly becoming just another wing of the dreaded ‘uniparty’.

Baghdad-born Zahawi is a ‘walking rejoinder’ to tedious media witch-hunts about Reform’s alleged racism

My brief survey of Reform’s grassroots shows feelings are mixed. One member is concerned about Zahawi’s views on immigration, but says putting the boot into the Tories with such a high-profile catch is no bad thing. Another complains it undermines Reform’s credentials as an ‘alternative’ to the mainstream. ‘Why can’t they say no?’, asks a third. For the party itself, though, mainstream credentials are part of Zahawi’s appeal. Among his virtues are ‘delivery’, ‘competence’ and business credibility, one source says – he will likely be involved in fundraising – adding that it doesn’t hurt that he’s ‘comfortable in modern Britain’. As James Heale notes, Baghdad-born Zahawi is a ‘walking rejoinder’ to tedious media witch-hunts about Reform’s alleged racism.

One sting in the tail, though, has been largely overlooked. At Monday’s press conference announcing the move, there was much focus on Zahawi’s role in........

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