Jenrick Defection to Reform Branded “Biggest in Party History” as Farage Sets ‘Deadline Day’
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A leaked media plan reveals that Robert jenrick’s move to Reform UK is being touted as the party’s moast notable defection in its history, reportedly drafted in recent days following the defection of former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, underscores a concerted effort to position Jenrick as a key figure in bolstering Nigel Farage’s party ahead of crucial local elections.
The document,reported on by the Mail on Sunday and the Sunday Times,suggests jenrick was already “resolved” to join Reform before being dismissed as shadow justice secretary by Conservative leader Rishi Sunak on Thursday. Sunak’s swift action – suspending Jenrick from the party – followed the circulation of a draft resignation speech and the leaked media plan to his team.
Jenrick appears to have personally emphasized his commitment to Farage’s leadership, with the words “here to support Nigel” reportedly underlined in the document. A spokesperson for Jenrick stated, “As the document makes clear, Rob is just a member of Nigel’s team and wants to help get him in as prime minister. And it’s a team which, unlike the Tories, wants to change Britain rather than pretend it isn’t broken.”
Jenrick Attacks “Posh” Tory Party
The defection has been accompanied by increasingly pointed attacks from Jenrick on his former party. He described the Conservatives as having become “almost the party of posh people,” arguing they are “so out of touch with the people I grew up around in Wolverhampton and represent in north Nottinghamshire.” He further characterized the current political landscape as a divide between “Reform’s workers’ party versus the Tory posh party.”
Badenoch Dismisses Jenrick as a “Pastiche”
The response from within the Conservative party has been scathing. Kemi Badenoch,who dismissed Jenrick from his post,labeled him a rightwing “pastiche,” suggesting his political positions are performative rather than deeply held. “I know what I believe.I know what I stand for. Robert has a pastiche of what he thinks the right wing is, and then he performs towards it. It’s always been about his personal ambition,” Badenoch told The telegraph.
Badenoch has firmly ruled out any future pact with Reform, arguing that the right is not a unified bloc.”Many people on the right actively dislike Reform. Trying to ‘unite’ risks losing just as many voters as it gains,” she stated. She also dismissed Reform’s focus as being on “disruption” rather than genuine solutions.
Reform Sets Defection Deadline
Nigel Farage has set a firm deadline of May 7th – coinciding with local elections – for any further Conservative defectors. In a statement published in The Telegraph, Farage described May 7th as “deadline day” for MPs and local councillors, stating that those who join Reform must be “resolute in their conviction that the established political parties have broken Britain.” He added, “it is make your mind up time, and if that sounds like an ultimatum, it is.”
Badenoch questioned the rationale behind the deadline, suggesting it indicates a lack of confidence in attracting further defections. “Perhaps they’re worried that they’re not going to get anyone any more,” she said, adding that the focus on defections is a “distraction from the serious things that are happening in the contry right now.” She signaled a willingness to remove disloyal Conservatives from the party.
The unfolding events signal a significant shift in the British political landscape,with Reform UK attempting to capitalize on discontent within the Conservative party. Whether Jenrick’s defection will truly “unite the right,” as he claims, remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly injected a new level of volatility into the upcoming electoral contests.
