Reform UK has appointed former Conservative cabinet minister Robert Jenrick as its new finance chief, a move aimed at bolstering the party’s economic credentials as it seeks to expand its support base ahead of the next general election.

Jenrick, who previously served as Secretary of State for Housing and later as Immigration Minister under Conservative governments, will oversee Reform UK’s fiscal and economic policy platform.

Party leader Nigel Farage described the appointment as a significant step in strengthening the party’s economic leadership and presenting what he called a “serious, costed alternative” to both the Conservative and Labour parties.

The decision marks a notable shift in the UK’s political landscape, with a high-profile former Conservative figure formally taking on a senior role within Reform UK. Jenrick had distanced himself from the Conservative leadership in recent months, arguing that the party had drifted from core commitments on taxation, migration and economic reform.

His move signals a consolidation of support among right-of-centre voters who have expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of mainstream Conservative policy.

In accepting the role, Jenrick said the country required what he termed “credible fiscal discipline combined with structural reform,” outlining priorities that include tax simplification, tighter public spending oversight and policies aimed at boosting business investment and productivity.

He emphasised that economic stability and national sovereignty must be pursued together, framing Reform UK’s agenda as focused on growth and long-term competitiveness.

Political analysts view the appointment as an effort by Reform UK to broaden its appeal beyond protest voters and to counter perceptions that it lacks experienced figures capable of managing complex economic portfolios.

By bringing in a former senior minister with cabinet experience, the party appears intent on positioning itself as a viable governing force rather than a single-issue movement.

The move may also intensify competition within the right-of-centre political space, potentially reshaping alliances and voter calculations in marginal constituencies.

As election preparations gather pace, Reform UK’s leadership is expected to unveil a detailed fiscal framework under Jenrick’s stewardship, seeking to convert political momentum into a more structured economic platform.