Several young former Conservative activists have publicly defected to the Liberal Democrats, with some in the process of establishing a new group called the One Nation Liberals. Cody Butler, 21, a former Tory activist, joined the Liberal Democrats a week ago. He resigned as chair of the One Nation Conservative Network and left the Conservative party in July, stating that centrists, remainers, and those concerned about climate change were no longer welcome.
Josh Bancroft, a former Tory councillor, also left the Conservative party to join the Liberal Democrats earlier this month. He said that moderates like him have been "forced out of the big tent over the past few years," adding that his politics have not changed, but the party has. Bancroft stated that the number of moderates looking to leave has increased since Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, began a "purge" of the Conservative parliamentary party.
In July, Badenoch reportedly warned that individuals supporting net zero targets or Britain's membership of the European convention on human rights would be prevented from standing as candidates in the next election. Former minister Gavin Barwell lost the whip, and another former cabinet member, Grant Shapps, was blocked from standing again for the party. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has mentioned Badenoch's decision to exclude members and MPs who support net zero policies.