Christian Conservative Councillor Clare De Silva has expressed her 'shock' and 'sadness' at fellow Christian Conservative and frontbencher Danny Kruger having left the party to join Reform UK.

In an interview with Premier Christian News, De Silva said her first reaction was "sadness".

"I think it's a real shame and something of a loss to the party," she said.

"I was shocked, but I think most of all really quite saddened by the whole thing. It's always sad to see someone go, but I think this one really had somewhat of a poignancy about it."

The East Wiltshire MP, who entered Parliament in 2019 and most recently served under Kemi Badenoch as shadow work and pensions minister, announced his defection at a press conference with Reform leader Nigel Farage.

He has been appointed to lead a new Reform team preparing for government.

Describing the decision as “very painful,” Krugar said: “I’m leaving because I think the party is over… The flame is passing from one torch to another.”

He went on to praise Farage, calling him “our last hope” on the political Right.

While she does not agree with his decision, De Silva, the Conservative Parliamentary Spokeswoman for St Albans, feels that Christians can and should disagree well.

"I know that (Danny) is fundamentally a God-fearing man and will have made this decision really carefully...this is where the rubber hits the road and we should disagree well," she said.

"That's a really important thing, I think, as Christians in the political sphere."