Robert Jenrick‘s defection to Reform was unravelling last night as senior figures in his new party refused to back his ambitions for a top role.
The Conservative MP’s move, billed by his aides as ‘the biggest defection story Reform has ever had (and likely ever will be)’, received a cool reception from those already in Nigel Farage‘s party.
In a leaked memo, his team had billed him as ‘the new sheriff in town’, but yesterday Mr Jenrick failed to be endorsed for the job he wants by one likely rival for the post, while others declined to welcome his arrival.
The Tories mocked their former Shadow Chancellor by suggesting ‘the new sheriff isn’t welcome in Reform town’.
Asked by the BBC if he would be happy for Mr Jenrick to become Reform’s Shadow Chancellor, the party’s deputy leader Richard Tice replied: ‘Look Nigel’s the boss… The great thing is we’ve got a multitude of talent, across the whole range of the main offices of state.’
Challenged again, he would say only: ‘We’ve got a great range of talent, the boss will make his decision about different roles at the appropriate time.’
Mr Tice, who has long been tipped for the crucial economic role, was also asked about Mr Jenrick’s claim that Reform needs to ‘think through’ its policy on lifting the two-child benefit cap for British families.
Robert Jenrick and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage answer questions from the media during the Reform conference in London following the former Tory’s defection
The Conservative MP’s move, billed by his aides as ‘the biggest defection story Reform has ever had (and likely ever will be)’, received a cool reception from those already in Nigel Farage’s party
The Tories mocked their former Shadow Chancellor by suggesting ‘the new sheriff isn’t welcome in Reform town’
‘What’s absolutely responsible is to say the key thing is we need people to work, and our child benefit policy is around working families, British families,’ he replied.
Reform’s head of policy, Zia Yusuf, who is also thought to want the Shadow Chancellor role, was asked if he was involved in the negotiations to bring Mr Jenrick across.
He replied: ‘My assessment is this is a man who is thoughtful, who is clear-eyed about all of the different ways the Tories betrayed this country and wants to help Nigel, help me help Richard and everyone at Reform, repair that damage.
‘I also think it’s crystal clear that him arriving at Reform makes it more likely that we win the next general election and I think that’s a really important milestone in order for us to do that, to turn the country around.’
Reform’s candidate for London mayor – who had billed herself as the ‘new sheriff in town’ just a week before Mr Jenrick’s team used the phrase about him in their secret defection plan – was also lukewarm about his arrival.
Asked why Mr Farage was not concerned about his new recruit’s record in government, Laila Cunningham told GB News: ‘I think what Nigel Farage sees, and we trust Nigel Farage’s judgment, is Jenrick leaving the Conservatives really signals that they’re finished.
‘It’s not about whether I’m pleased or displeased. It’s about what it represents.’
She also admitted she was not immediately convinced by his move, saying ‘So when he first defected I was, “let’s see what he’s going to say in his speech”.’
Reform’s candidate for London mayor, Laila Cunningham (pictured) – who had billed herself as the ‘new sheriff in town’ just a week before Mr Jenrick’s team used the phrase about him in their secret defection plan – was also lukewarm about his arrival
But she added: ‘What he said was exactly what we’re all feeling.’
Asked why Mr Yusuf had not welcomed Mr Jenrick to Reform, she said ‘we all went for dinner’ on the day of the defection and that the pair got on ‘very well’.
Mr Jenrick has been ridiculed for an ‘Alan Partridge-style speech in the mirror’ effort to endear himself to his new party’s supporters after a secret defection memo was handed to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch.
The Mail on Sunday revealed that the private ‘media plan’ urged Mr Jenrick to ‘use humour – one of your best skills’ and described him as ‘the most popular Tory Shadow Cabinet member, leader-in-waiting if Kemi ever falls and the most dynamic politician in the Conservative Party’.
The notes, obtained by a mole in Mr Jenrick’s office, include lines about Mr Farage such as: ‘Only person in British politics [to have] been consistent.’
The six-page memo also suggested his replies to questions about jumping ship to save his career should be: ‘Last time I checked I was top of the brilliant Conservative Home Shadow Cabinet league table, so I seemed to be doing all right!’
Mr Jenrick is advised to ‘listen out for questions where you can be funny and don’t be afraid to be self-effacing or have a laugh, sometimes even on policy-based questions’.
A leaked memo even prepares for a potential question about whether Mr Farage is ‘only good for a pint’
It’s also suggested he ‘be demonstrative (in particular hands), slow down, use your vocal range and stress words’.
The excruciating operational note added: ‘Passion and showing you care is key – but not to be mistaken for shouting or talking like an AI politician – have a conversation’.
It adds he should ‘dismiss and shut down stupid questions, often with humour or rhetorical questions in response!’
The memo even prepares for a potential question about whether Mr Farage is ‘only good for a pint’.
It recommends a quip such as: ‘Well, Nigel is still good for a pint!’
Reform’s Lincolnshire mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns wrote on social media yesterday that she backed the party’s new imposition of a deadline of May 7 for further defections.
She said she ‘completely agreed’ with the move to ‘pull up the drawbridge to the Conservatives’.
‘We don’t need their arrogance saying they are coming on board to “help”. Nigel, Zia and the team are doing just fine.’
Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake told the Daily Mail: ‘It seems the new sheriff isn’t welcome in Reform town – or perhaps Reform town just isn’t big enough for all the wannabe chancellors.
‘Zia Yusuf can’t even bring himself to welcome Jenrick to the party and Richard Tice wouldn’t even back Robert Jenrick as a credible chancellor and they’re already arguing about how much more they should spend on benefits.’
He added: ‘Voters want a serious team with a clear plan and leadership with a backbone, not a saloon full of egos.’
