Zahawi defection pushes Reform’s vaccine scepticism into spotlight

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Ben Quinn Political correspondentJanuary 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM

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Nadhim Zahawi's defection to Reform UK has highlighted the party's vaccine skepticism. Zahawi, who oversaw the Covid vaccine rollout as vaccines minister, faced questions about his stance on vaccine safety, particularly regarding claims made at a Reform conference linking vaccines to cancer. His dismissive response to these questions has sparked controversy within Reform, where anti-vaccine sentiment is strong. Some members expressed their intent to resign, viewing Zahawi's recruitment as a betrayal of their beliefs. Furthermore, Zahawi's Muslim background has triggered Islamophobic reactions within the party, with some members expressing concerns about a perceived "Muslim takeover." This incident underscores internal tensions within Reform UK regarding both vaccine policy and diversity.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Westminster 30% Daily Telegraph 40% Laila Cunningham 40% Zia Yusuf 40% Conservative Party 50% King Charles 50% Princess of Wales 50% Nigel Farage ×260% Reform UK ×885% Nadhim Zahawi ×790%

Keywords

vaccine scepticism 90% nadhim zahawi 80% reform uk 80% covid vaccines 70% islamophobia 60% party defection 60% political controversy 50% nigel farage 40%