Robert Jenrick says he has ‘Nigel Farage rattled’ as final leg of Tory leader race hots up
The Tory leadership finalist has said that only he has a plan to win back Reform UK voters.
Robert Jenrick makes foreign aid pledge in conference speech
Robert Jenrick has made the bold claim that he has “got Nigel Farage rattled” as he prepares to take on Kemi Badenoch in front of the Tory Party membership.
Mr Jenrick made a sensational comeback yesterday after being written off on Tuesday to secure a place in the final-two run-off.
He now has mere weeks to make his case to Conservative Party members and fulfil his goal of taking over from Rishi Sunak.
Writing this morning, the contender makes the bold claim that his plan to leave the European Court of Human Rights, increasing deportations and suspending foreign aid to countries that refuse to take back criminal foreign nationals is the best plan to win back Reform UK supporters.
He writes: “That plan is why I have Nigel Farage so rattled.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
“He knows I am the candidate who will win back those voters we lost to Reform – something our political recovery depends on.”
While Mr Jenrick often focuses on the need to win back Reform UK voters, he insists he will do “much more” if elected leader to take on Labour and the LibDems too.
As well as arguing all voters care about immigration, he insists he also has the most fleshed-out plan to improve the NHS and economy with radical public sector and planning reforms.
He promises to unite the party, and ensure that everyone from the right to the left including Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, Boris Johnson, Penny Mordaunt and Andy Street are “on the pitch”.
Mr Jenrick will deliver a wide-ranging speech today at the Policy Exchange think tank following his shock entry into the final two yesterday.
Don't miss...
I was in the room for the Tory leadership elimination - everyone said same thing [LATEST]
‘Oh dear!’ Kemi Badenoch tears into Labour’s chaotic first 100 days in power [LATEST]
Rishi Sunak leaves Commons in stitches with swipe at Keir Starmer [LATEST]
In Tuesday’s penultimate vote-off, Mr Jenrick slipped back by two supporters, with Ms Badenoch closing the gap to just one and James Cleverly leapfrogging both of them by putting on 18 new backers.
To everyone’s surprise yesterday, Mr Jenrick and Ms Badenoch pushed Mr Cleverly into third place and ousted him, ensuring both candidates for leader are from the right of the party.
There have since been allegations of skulduggery and incompetence by Tory MPs, with some suggestions James Cleverly supporters felt so confident that they leant votes to their preferred run-off candidate only to miscalculate and let their preferred candidate fall too far back.
Newly-appointed Spectator editor Michael Gove yesterday accused Tory MPs of trying to be “too clever by half” and secured their label as the “banter party”.
While Ms Badenoch goes into the final leg of this race with polls suggesting she is the frontrunner, Mr Jenrick’s camp will be hoping that debates and her propensity for awkward political rows will be enough to edge it come the voting deadline.
Voting will close on October 31 with the winner being revealed on November 2.
