Danny Kruger has long been a prominent voice on the socially conservative wing of British politics. With deep roots in the Conservative Party and strong convictions about faith, family, and national identity, Kruger’s eventual defection to Reform UK in the wake of the 2024 general election symbolised a dramatic shift in the alignment of Britain’s political right.
This profile traces Kruger’s journey from a policy wonk in the early 2000s to a member of Parliament, a charity founder, a speechwriter for Prime Ministers, and now a Reform UK MP — committed to rebuilding what he calls the “moral foundations” of British society.
Early Life and Education
Daniel Rayner Kruger was born in 1974, the son of Prue Leith, the well-known restaurateur and television personality, and writer Rayne Kruger. Educated at Eton College, he later studied history at the University of Edinburgh and earned a PhD from Oxford University, focusing on British political thought.
Kruger’s elite academic and social background often sat awkwardly beside his later rhetoric defending “ordinary values,” but it also provided a foundation for his intellectual and moral outlook, which fused high-concept conservatism with grassroots activism.
Conservative Policy Circles and Early Political Work
Kruger began his political career within the Conservative Party’s ecosystem of think tanks and policy units. In the early 2000s, he worked at the influential Centre for Policy Studies (CPS), a free-market think tank co-founded by Margaret Thatcher. There, he built a reputation as a thoughtful and principled advocate of conservatism rooted in tradition and civil society.
From 2003 to 2005, Kruger worked in the Conservative Party’s Policy Unit, helping shape policy proposals ahead of the 2005 general election. He also stood as the Conservative candidate in Sedgefield, directly challenging then-Prime Minister Tony Blair. Though he lost decisively, the candidacy established him as a serious figure in Conservative politics.
Kruger soon joined the speechwriting team for David Cameron, helping craft the party’s emerging identity under the banner of “compassionate conservatism.” He played a key role in shaping the party’s messaging as it sought to shed the legacy of Thatcherism and appeal to a more centrist electorate. His writing combined modern themes with traditional values — foreshadowing his later political positioning.
Founding of Only Connect and MBE
In 2006, Kruger left formal politics to found Only Connect, a London-based charity focused on helping young offenders reintegrate into society and reduce reoffending through creativity, mentoring, and community. The organisation was widely praised for its innovative approach to youth crime prevention, and Kruger often cited it as evidence of the importance of civil society in tackling deep-rooted social problems.
For his work, Kruger was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in recognition of his services to charity and rehabilitation.
This blend of grassroots activism and elite politics became a hallmark of Kruger’s public persona: morally earnest, institutionally minded, and firmly convinced that social decay must be addressed through culture as well as policy.
Support for Brexit and Return to Government
Kruger was an early supporter of Brexit, aligning himself with the Leave campaign on the basis of national sovereignty and democratic accountability. He viewed the European Union as an obstacle to meaningful self-governance and cultural self-determination.
Though not yet an MP, Kruger was brought back into frontline politics in August 2019, when Prime Minister Boris Johnson appointed him Political Secretary at 10 Downing Street. In this role, Kruger advised on policy, ideology, and messaging — contributing to Johnson’s efforts to define the post-Brexit identity of the Conservative Party.
Parliamentary Career: Devizes and Christian Conservatism
At the 2019 general election, Kruger was elected Member of Parliament for Devizes, a safe Conservative seat in Wiltshire. He made his maiden speech on 29 January 2020, calling for a “restoration of Christian values” in public life. In a speech that divided opinion, he argued that Britain’s moral decay stemmed from “the loss of a shared spiritual framework” and said politicians must help rebuild the “cultural scaffolding” of society.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Kruger made headlines for being photographed on public transport without a mask in August 2020, in breach of government rules. Though he apologised, the incident fuelled criticism of politicians flouting the very restrictions they imposed on the public.
In September 2021, he was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to Housing Secretary Michael Gove, giving him an inside track into Whitehall policymaking. He was also a loyalist to Boris Johnson, defending the Prime Minister during multiple crises and supporting him during leadership challenges.
Social Conservatism and National Conservatism Conference
Kruger’s views on social issues frequently sparked controversy. He has expressed opposition to abortion, arguing that the rights of the unborn should be more strongly protected. His position places him firmly at odds with mainstream British opinion and many of his colleagues, but Kruger has remained unapologetic, citing his Christian beliefs and the moral gravity of the issue.
At the National Conservatism Conference in May 2023, Kruger further cemented his role as a standard-bearer for socially conservative politics. In a widely reported speech, he said:
“We should not be afraid to say that the normative family — a mother and a father raising children in a stable home — is the foundation of a good society.”
The remarks triggered both support and backlash, with critics accusing him of marginalising single-parent families and LGBTQ+ households. Kruger insisted he was defending the family model, not attacking alternatives — but the message was clear: he saw Britain’s social fabric as fraying and in need of moral restoration.
2024 General Election and Conservative Decline
Kruger stood for re-election in the July 2024 general election, but like many Conservatives, he faced a populist backlash amid rising living costs, continued migration, and growing public disillusionment with the political elite. Reform UK surged in the polls, and while Kruger narrowly held his seat, it became clear that the Conservative Party was haemorrhaging support in both traditional and Red Wall areas.
The loss of dozens of seats and the resulting leadership chaos pushed Kruger to reflect publicly on the party’s failures. In an interview following the election, he warned that the Conservatives had become “detached from the moral concerns of ordinary people” and failed to offer “a compelling vision for the future.”
Defection to Reform UK
In October 2024, Kruger defected to Reform UK, joining a wave of socially conservative MPs and former Tories disillusioned with the direction of their party. In a statement that reverberated through Westminster, he declared:
“The Tories are done. The voters aren’t coming back.”
He accused the Conservatives of betraying Brexit, abandoning family values, and surrendering to progressive ideologies. Reform UK, he said, offered “a new home for those who believe in Britain, faith, and freedom.”
Kruger’s defection was celebrated by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who described him as “a man of principle, conviction, and courage.” He joined Lee Anderson, Sarah Pochin, Richard Tice and Farage himself in the five-strong Reform MP group.
Private Life
Kruger lives with his wife and children in Wiltshire and remains an active member of his local church. Known for his soft-spoken manner in private and steely resolve in public, Kruger balances political life with family, community engagement, and religious observance.
Despite his high-profile defection, he is said to remain on cordial terms with some former Conservative colleagues — though others regard his move as a betrayal.
Final takeaway
Danny Kruger’s journey from speechwriter and charity founder to a Reform UK MP tells the story of a political figure driven by conviction rather than careerism. A passionate advocate of faith, family, and national identity, he has emerged as a leading figure in Britain’s resurgent populist right.
Whether his vision gains mass appeal or remains a niche strand of conservatism, Kruger’s influence on Britain’s ideological landscape is undeniable — a reminder that, in the post-Brexit era, the battle for the soul of the right is far from over. Kruger stands out as the Reform MP with by far the most policy-making and governmental experience. He is the head of preparing the Reform Party for government, and should that come to pass, then he can expect a very senior role in government. Indeed, many see him as a potential successor to Farage.
