Is this the political version of marking your own homework? Nadhim Zahawi might have misplaced his self-awareness this weekend, after he lashed out at the political party he represented for more than 30 years – and was still part of at the beginning of 2026.
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Nadhim Zahawi may have forgotten something…
After starting the new year as a Conservative member, Mr. Zahawi defected to Reform on 12 January, unveiled at a press conference by Nigel Farage. The former chancellor, who had served under the last four Tory prime ministers, said there was a need for ‘revolution’ in British politics.
However, that clarion call for a fresh, new way of doing things somewhat falls flat when it comes from someone who was part of the very establishment he has chosen to rail against. Alongside his roles as Conservative Party chairman and former chancellor, Nadhim Zahawi was also Stratford’s MP for 14 years.
The hypocrisy isn’t lost on the general public – and it certainly comes back to bite Mr. Zahawi whenever he slams his former employers. It’s happened again this weekend, following his reaction to the news that the former bodyguard of Ismail Haniyeh, leader of Hamas, had plotted a major terror attack in the UK.
Former Tory, who was a Tory eight months ago, demands other Tories apologise, doesn’t offer one himself
This was after Haniyeh was granted asylum and citizenship in the UK under the previous Conservative government. However, the 59-year-old failed to take the glaringly obvious into account, and instead chose to launch into a diatribe about the administration he once supported:
“This is why every Conservative should apologise by tomorrow morning, First amongst them should be Theresa May. They should be nowhere near Government. Utterly shameful and beyond useless. For years, under successive Conservative PMs, we turned a blind eye to Islamists.” | Nadhim Zahawi
What’s truly remarkable about his call for an apology from Tories of note is that he simply doesn’t offer one himself. He followed up his late-night rant on Sunday morning, attacking shadow home secretary Chris Philp for not showing much in the way of contrition during his appearance on Sky News.
Will the penny eventually drop? We’re not so sure…