Danny Kruger, the Member of Parliament for East Wiltshire, made national headlines in September 2025 when he became the first sitting Conservative MP to defect to Reform UK. His move reshaped the political landscape and raised questions about the future of the Conservative Party.
Kruger, who was first elected as a Conservative in 2019, now sits as a Reform UK MP. His defection was not just a personal decision but a political event that commentators described as historic. The shift brought Reform UK’s parliamentary presence to five MPs at the time.
This article examines the verified facts of Kruger’s career, his personal background, the circumstances of his party switch, and what is – and is not – publicly known about his life.
What Is Danny Kruger’s Political Party and Career?
Danny Kruger is currently a member of Reform UK, having crossed the floor from the Conservative Party in September 2025. His political career began in earnest when he was elected as the MP for Devizes in the 2019 general election. Following boundary changes, he continued to represent the newly drawn East Wiltshire constituency after the 2024 election.
- Full Name: Daniel Rayne Kruger
- Date of Birth: 23 October 1974
- Political Party: Reform UK (formerly Conservative)
- Constituency: East Wiltshire
- MP Since: 12 December 2019
- Faith: Christian
Key Insights into His Political Profile
- Kruger served as shadow work and pensions minister under Kemi Badenoch before defecting.
- He was the first sitting Conservative MP to join Reform UK.
- Reform UK leader Nigel Farage publicly presented him as a major recruit, stating the move boosted the party’s parliamentary strength.
- Kruger argued the Conservatives had failed on issues such as migration and Brexit, and said the party was no longer the main opposition.
- He rejected calls for a by-election after defecting, saying he would remain the MP elected at the last general election.
- Constituents’ reactions to his defection were mixed, with some welcoming the move and others expressing concern.
- After joining Reform UK, Kruger stated he would “vote in the same manner” as he had since Labour took office.
Danny Kruger at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Daniel Rayne Kruger |
| Born | 23 October 1974 |
| Party | Reform UK |
| Constituency | East Wiltshire |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Children | Information not publicly confirmed |
| Religion | Christian |
| First Elected | 12 December 2019 |
| Defection Date | 15 September 2025 |
| Previous Role | Shadow Work and Pensions Minister |
| Role After Defection | Helping prepare Reform UK for government |
| Political Shift | Conservative to Reform UK |
Who Is Danny Kruger? Personal Life and Background
Beyond his political career, many questions remain about Kruger’s personal life. The gathered material confirms his Christian faith has been a notable part of his public identity. He has been described as a social conservative, and his faith has been referenced in reporting about his political stances.
Danny Kruger is a Christian, a fact that has been consistently noted in reporting about his political identity. The Guardian reported in September 2025 that his Christian faith has been a notable part of his public identity, though no detailed profile of his religious affiliations was available in the gathered material.
Family and Private Life
No reliable source in the gathered material confirms the name of his wife, the number or names of his children, or other private family details. The snapshot facts plan lists his marital status as married, but specific information about his spouse and children cannot be stated confidently from the evidence available in the research notes.
Finances and Net Worth
Likewise, no trustworthy net worth figure appears in the gathered material. As an MP, he receives a parliamentary salary, but any personal wealth, investments, or additional income are not substantiated in the sources used for this article. The Register of Members’ Financial Interests would be the official source for such disclosures, but that information was not included in the research.
Where Does He Live?
The gathered research does not provide a verified residential address for Danny Kruger. As an MP for East Wiltshire, it is reasonable to assume he has a connection to the constituency, but no specific location details were included in the available material.
The September 2025 Defection: Why Did Kruger Leave the Conservatives?
Kruger’s defection on 15 September 2025 was widely reported as historic. BBC News, Sky News, and The Independent all described it as the first time a sitting Conservative MP had crossed over to join Reform UK.
While Kruger is the first sitting Conservative MP to defect to Reform UK, it is important to note that the gathered material does not confirm whether other MPs from other parties had previously made similar moves. The reporting specifically highlights his status as the first from the Conservative Party.
In explaining his decision, Kruger said the Conservatives had failed on issues such as migration and Brexit. He argued the party was no longer the main opposition, a statement that The Guardian reported in its coverage of the defection. After joining Reform UK, Nigel Farage said Kruger would help prepare the party for government.
Timeline of Danny Kruger’s Political Career
- 23 October 1974: Born Daniel Rayne Kruger.
- 12 December 2019: Elected as Conservative MP for Devizes.
- 2024: Elected as MP for the newly drawn East Wiltshire constituency after boundary changes.
- Served as Shadow Work and Pensions Minister: Under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership before defecting.
- 15 September 2025: Defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, becoming the first sitting Conservative MP to do so. Reported by multiple outlets including BBC News and Sky News.
- After Defection: Reform UK said he would help prepare the party for government.
What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear
The following comparison clarifies which facts are established and which remain uncertain based on the available research.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Danny Kruger is the Reform UK MP for East Wiltshire. | Exact net worth is private and not disclosed in available sources. |
| He was first elected in 2019 as a Conservative. | The origin and official meaning of “Danny Kruger effect” is not defined in gathered material. |
| His faith is Christian and has been publicly noted. | Number and names of children are not publicly available. |
| He is married (confirmed in snapshot facts). | Exact date of party defection is confirmed as 15 September 2025. |
| He defected on 15 September 2025. | Constituents’ reactions were mixed but specific local polling data was not available. |
Background and Political Context
This article provides a comprehensive overview of Danny Kruger’s political career and personal background, addressing common questions about his party affiliation, biography, and online presence. It aims to clarify his recent switch to Reform UK and the implications of his political stance.
The defection of a sitting Conservative MP to Reform UK signals a shift in the UK political landscape. Kruger’s move was seen as a boost for Reform UK, which increased its Commons presence to five MPs at the time of reporting. His public statements about the Conservatives no longer being the main opposition reflect broader debates about the direction of right-of-centre politics in Britain.
Sources and Quotes
The following sources were used to compile this article. The most reliable sources for biographical details include Wikipedia and the UK Parliament official profile.
“The move increased Reform’s Commons presence to five MPs at the time of reporting.”
— Sky News, September 2025
“Kruger said the Conservatives had failed on issues such as migration and Brexit and argued the party was no longer the main opposition.”
— The Guardian, 15 September 2025
For official updates and public engagements, his X (Twitter) account provides recent statements, while the Reform UK official website offers party policy information.
Summary: Who Is Danny Kruger?
Danny Kruger is now a Reform UK MP for East Wiltshire whose September 2025 defection drew major attention because he was the first sitting Conservative MP to cross over. The most solidly verified facts are his birth date, constituency, party switch, and the political significance of the move. Family details, net worth, and contact information are not substantiated in the material gathered here. For other political biographies, see our profile of Sarah Pochin – Biography, Personal Life and Political Career. For another UK political figure, read about Mike Graham – Biography, Show, Book and Wife.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Danny Kruger’s official website?
He does not maintain a personal MP website separate from the official Parliament page. The official contact page is available through the UK Parliament website.
How old is Danny Kruger?
Born 23 October 1974, he was 50 years old as of 2025.
How can I contact Danny Kruger?
Phone: 0207 219 7050 (Parliament). Write to his constituency office or the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.
What is Danny Kruger’s constituency?
He represents East Wiltshire, previously representing Devizes until boundary changes.
Is Danny Kruger a Christian?
Yes, he is a Christian, a fact often mentioned in his political identity.
Why did Danny Kruger leave the Conservative Party?
He argued the Conservatives had failed on migration and Brexit and said the party was no longer the main opposition.
What is the Danny Kruger effect?
The term appears to reference his influence or controversial statements, but it is not officially defined in the gathered material.
Does Danny Kruger have children?
Information about his children is not publicly confirmed in available sources.
What is Danny Kruger’s net worth?
His net worth is not publicly disclosed. He receives a parliamentary salary as an MP.
When did Danny Kruger defect to Reform UK?
He defected on 15 September 2025, as confirmed by multiple news outlets.
Sophie Kendall is Celebrity News Editor at ShowbizUK.co.uk, covering celebrity news, public appearances, interviews, red carpet coverage, social media updates and audience-focused showbiz stories.