Danny Kruger, born Daniel Rayne Kruger on 23 October 1974, is a British politician who has moved from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, becoming the party’s first sitting MP. He represents the East Wiltshire constituency and is known for his strong Christian conservative views. Before entering Parliament, he served as a speechwriter for David Cameron and as political secretary to Boris Johnson.
Kruger’s career spans journalism, think-tank work, and charity leadership. He co-founded the youth crime prevention charity Only Connect with his wife, Emma, and was awarded an MBE in 2017 for his charitable work. His personal life, including his faith and family, is closely linked to his political identity.
This article examines Kruger’s background, political affiliations, policy positions, and the circumstances surrounding his defection to Reform UK. It also addresses common questions about his net worth, family, and the so-called “Danny Kruger effect.”
Who is Danny Kruger? – Background, Faith, and Personal Life
Key Insights
- Danny Kruger is a British politician who switched from the Conservative Party to Reform UK in September 2025.
- He represents East Wiltshire and is known for his socially conservative positions.
- His evangelical Christian faith strongly influences his political and personal life.
- Prior to Parliament, he worked as David Cameron’s chief speechwriter and as a policy adviser.
- He co-founded the charity Only Connect, which works with prisoners and ex-offenders.
- His mother is Prue Leith, the cookery writer and television presenter.
- Kruger is the first MP to defect from the Conservatives to Reform UK.
Quick Reference Facts
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Daniel Rayne Kruger |
| Date of Birth | 23 October 1974 |
| Nationality | British |
| Political Party | Reform UK (formerly Conservative) |
| Current Office | MP for East Wiltshire |
| Years in Parliament | Since 2019 |
| Education | Eton College; University of Edinburgh; University of Oxford |
| Spouse | Emma Kruger |
| Religion | Evangelical Christian |
| MBE | 2017 for charitable work |
Danny Kruger’s Early Life and Education
Kruger attended Eton College before studying history at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Oxford, according to his biography on Politics.co.uk. His father, Rayne Kruger, was an author and property developer, and his mother, Prue Leith, is the well-known restaurateur and former judge on The Great British Bake Off.
Danny Kruger’s Faith and Christian Views
Kruger is an evangelical Christian. According to ConservativeHome, he converted after falling in love with his wife, Emma, who prayed for his conversion. He has called for a return to Christian values and stated that women do not have an “absolute right to bodily autonomy,” a position he voiced during the Roe v. Wade debate in 2022.
Danny Kruger’s Wife and Family
Kruger is married to Emma Kruger, a former teacher. Together they have three children and co-founded the charity Only Connect in 2006, which works with prisoners and ex-offenders. Emma’s public profile is deliberately low; few additional details about her are available in the public domain.
What is Danny Kruger’s Political Party? – From Conservative to Reform UK
Danny Kruger’s Switch to Reform UK
In September 2025, Kruger defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK. He became the party’s sole MP and one of the few with high-ranking government experience, having served under both David Cameron and Boris Johnson. His defection is documented on Wikipedia and reported by MSN News.
Kruger’s move to Reform UK was widely seen as a natural fit for his long-held right-wing views. He had co-chaired the New Conservatives group and supported leaving the European Convention on Human Rights. His defection gave Reform UK a parliamentary foothold and a seasoned politician with experience in government.
Why Did Danny Kruger Leave the Conservative Party?
Kruger’s departure from the Conservatives followed years of ideological distance. He had previously resigned as Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Department for Levelling Up in July 2022 in protest of Boris Johnson remaining Prime Minister. His social conservatism and Euroscepticism aligned more closely with Reform UK’s platform.
Danny Kruger’s Political Ideology
Kruger is described by ConservativeHome as a “prominent defender of Christian conservatism and traditional ideas of virtue.” He supports stricter asylum systems, opposes further European integration, and has voted against climate change prevention measures, according to TheyWorkForYou.
What Are Danny Kruger’s Political Views?
Danny Kruger on Social Policy
Kruger’s social conservatism is central to his platform. He has called for a return to Christian values in public life and believes that society should be built around strong families and communities. He supports the UK leaving the European Convention on Human Rights and has argued against what he sees as the erosion of national sovereignty.
Danny Kruger on the Economy
Less is publicly documented about Kruger’s specific economic policies. However, his work at the Centre for Policy Studies and his role as a Conservative policy adviser suggest a generally free-market orientation. He has focused on community strengthening and social cohesion as pillars of his economic thinking.
The ‘Danny Kruger Effect’ Explained
The term “Danny Kruger effect” appears informally in political commentary, but it is not a widely documented or official concept. It likely refers to his influence on local Conservative candidate selection in Wiltshire and his ability to pull the party’s internal dynamics to the right. No mainstream source provides a formal definition.
Danny Kruger’s Parliamentary Career and Constituency
Danny Kruger MP for East Wiltshire
Kruger was first elected as the MP for Devizes in the 2019 general election with a majority of 23,993. Following boundary changes, he became the MP for East Wiltshire in the 2024 general election, as recorded on his parliamentary career page.
Key Parliamentary Roles and Committees
Kruger served as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) at the Department for Levelling Up until July 2022. He co-chaired the New Conservatives group alongside Miriam Cates and chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Prescribed Drug Dependence. After his defection, Reform UK leader Kemi Badenoch appointed him Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions in November 2024.
Following his switch to Reform UK in September 2025, Kruger continues to serve as MP for East Wiltshire. His role as Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions, originally given when he was still a Conservative, now carries added weight as he represents the party’s sole parliamentary voice.
Danny Kruger’s Voting Record
According to TheyWorkForYou, Kruger has voted against climate change prevention measures and in favour of stricter asylum policies. He supported Brexit in the 2016 referendum and has consistently opposed closer EU integration.
How to Contact Danny Kruger and Follow His Work
Official Website and Social Media
Kruger’s former Conservative website was at www.dannykruger.org.uk, which may now redirect to his Reform UK pages. He is active on X (formerly Twitter) under the handle @danny__kruger, where he posts policy updates and personal statements.
Contact Details for Constituency Office
Official contact information is available through the UK Parliament website. His parliamentary profile can be accessed at members.parliament.uk, which provides phone numbers and email addresses for constituency and Westminster offices.
Parliamentary Contact Information
Constituents can also reach him via the House of Commons address. For the most up-to-date details, the UK Parliament’s official contact page is the most reliable source.
Key Events in Danny Kruger’s Political Career
- : Born Daniel Rayne Kruger in London.
- : Elected as Conservative MP for Devizes with a majority of 23,993.
- : Constituency renamed to East Wiltshire following boundary changes.
- : Appointed Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions by Kemi Badenoch.
- : Defects from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, becoming the party’s first sitting MP.
What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About Danny Kruger?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Danny Kruger is the Reform UK MP for East Wiltshire, formerly Conservative. | His net worth is not publicly disclosed; any figures are speculative. |
| He is an evangelical Christian and frequently references his faith in public statements. | Details about his wife’s personal and professional life are minimal beyond what is publicly known. |
| He co-founded the charity Only Connect with his wife Emma. | The origin and meaning of the term “Danny Kruger effect” are not formally documented in mainstream sources. |
| He served as David Cameron’s chief speechwriter and Boris Johnson’s political secretary. | His exact income from pre-parliamentary roles is not available in public records. |
What Does Danny Kruger’s Political Shift Mean?
Kruger’s move from the Conservatives to Reform UK reflects a broader trend of right-wing realignment in British politics. His faith-based positions distinguish him in a secularising landscape, and his experience in high-ranking government roles gives Reform UK a credible parliamentary figure. The so-called “Danny Kruger effect,” though not formally documented, appears to denote his influence on local party dynamics in Wiltshire and his role in shifting conservative debate further to the right.
Where Can You Find Verified Information About Danny Kruger?
Key sources include the Wikipedia biography, the UK Parliament career page, and TheyWorkForYou for voting records. His X profile provides recent statements. For broader political context, see the profile of James Cleverly – A Detailed Biography and the analysis of Jess Phillips – Resignation, Family, and Net Worth.
“A prominent defender of Christian conservatism and traditional ideas of virtue.”
— ConservativeHome, March 2021
Final Overview: Danny Kruger’s Role in British Politics
Danny Kruger is a unique figure in contemporary British politics: a socially conservative evangelical who has moved from the heart of Conservative government to the insurgent Reform UK. His career as a speechwriter, policy adviser, and charity founder gives him a broad skill set, while his defection makes him a key player in the future of the right. For more on other political figures, see the profile of James Cleverly – A Detailed Biography.
Frequently Asked Questions About Danny Kruger
What is Danny Kruger’s net worth?
Danny Kruger’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. As a Member of Parliament, his annual salary is £91,346 (2025 rate), but personal wealth details are not available in public records.
Who is Danny Kruger’s wife?
Danny Kruger is married to Emma Kruger, a former teacher. They have three children and co-founded the charity Only Connect. Further personal details are not widely reported.
Does Danny Kruger have a website?
Yes, he previously maintained www.dannykruger.org.uk. He is also active on X (Twitter) under @danny__kruger.
What is ‘the Danny Kruger effect’?
The term appears informally in political commentary, likely referring to his influence on local Conservative candidate selection in Wiltshire. It is not an official or widely documented concept.
Why did Danny Kruger leave the Conservative Party?
He defected in September 2025, citing alignment with Reform UK’s platform. He had previously resigned as a PPS in 2022 over Boris Johnson’s leadership.
What constituency does Danny Kruger represent?
He represents East Wiltshire, which was renamed from Devizes in 2024 following boundary changes.
What are Danny Kruger’s religious beliefs?
He is an evangelical Christian and has spoken about converting after falling in love with his wife, who prayed for his conversion.
Did Danny Kruger receive an MBE?
Yes, he was awarded an MBE in 2017 for his charitable work, particularly for co-founding Only Connect.
What is Danny Kruger’s education background?
He attended Eton College and studied history at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Oxford.
Who are Danny Kruger’s parents?
His mother is Prue Leith, the cookery writer and television presenter. His father was Rayne Kruger, an author and property developer.
Jack Thomas Clarke Thompson is a staff writer for PopCultureDaily.co.uk, covering entertainment news, film, television, streaming and celebrity culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Harriet Winslow and Managing Editor Lucas Bennett, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.