Worry and delight grip constituents as MP defects

Andrew Smithson says he is "delighted" by the news and emailed Kruger his congratulations

Residents of MP Danny Kruger's constituency have reacted to the news of his defection from the Conservatives to Reform UK.

Kruger was elected as Devizes MP in 2019 and then, after boundary changes, MP for East Wiltshire in 2024, with Reform coming fourth.

Constituent Andrew Smithson said he "was delighted" and he believed only Reform would "tackle the worst problem we've got, which is immigration". Janice Pattison, a constituent from Marlborough, said she was "concerned" by some of Reform's ideas.

Kruger told the BBC he would "continue to be the MP that I was elected to be at the last election" and would "vote exactly the same way that I've voted since the Labour government came in".

Danny Kruger is the first sitting MP to defect to Reform

An online petition calling for a by-election has gathered more than 500 signatures.

Ms Pattison added: "It's his choice to do what he does but I wouldn't vote for Reform.

"I'm just a bit worried about the extremes of their politics, there might be more depth to it later as we discover more about them and as they are prepared to put all their cards on the table, but at the moment the highlights just concern me a little bit."

Mr Smithson added: "I've supported Danny while he was a Conservative but I've had my doubts about their leadership, which is appalling."

'Fanatical'

Kruger has also been among the most vocal critics of the proposed assisted dying bill - which he links closely with his Christian faith.

In the past he has also been outspoken on LGBT marriage and has had to clarify comments made in relation to abortion.

"I don't like his views, I think he's sort of fanatical and I don't like his views on women and abortion," said constituent Stella Maxwell.

Whereas another constituent, Pauline Palmer, said: "I'm actually delighted because he stands for good family Christian values and he wasn't being heard in Parliament.

"I think he does a wonderful job for the town and we look forward to what he will do with Reform," she added.

Multiple councillors and former Conservatives have defected to Reform over the past year but Kruger is the first sitting Tory MP to make the switch.

He was also a member of Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's inner circle and worked as the shadow minister for work and pensions.

During his unveiling, Kruger said the move was "personally painful" but went on to say the Conservative Party was "over as a national party".

He indicated there would not be a by-election in the wake of his defection but some believe constituents should have another chance to vote.

"I feel very disappointed that he's made this decision and actually [feel] betrayed," said Conservative councillor Jane Davies, who represents Marlborough West at Wiltshire Council and campaigned with Kruger in 2024.

Conservative Councillor Jane Davies believes a by-election should be held

"I think if Danny is really convinced that Wiltshire East wants a Reform MP then he should stand down and we should have a by-election," she added.

In a post on social media, Sir Robert Buckland KC, a cabinet minister under former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, said he was a constituent of Kruger's.

"Hey Danny Kruger, you are supposed to be my Conservative MP. What on earth do you think you are doing? Local people did not vote for this!" he wrote on X.