As Kemi Badenoch basked in the applause of the Tory faithful at the close of her pivotal speech at Conservative party conference last year, one member of her shadow cabinet looked less than enthused. Robert Jenrick, bested by Badenoch in the leadership contest a year earlier, looked on, and – as one shadow cabinet member now recalls – had to be prodded by Lord Ashcroft to applaud. This week, as the Conservative ranks enjoy their annual knees-up in Birmingham, the now Reform UK economy spokesperson has been swiping from the sidelines, accusing his old party of “once again copying our policies”.
But while Jenrick’s physical presence may be absent from the migraine-inducing interior of the International Convention Centre in the West Midlands, members could be forgiven for sighing that everywhere they looked, something reminded them of him. At the heart of the conference, members queue to chortle at depictions of Jenrick in the Conservatives’ own “Birmingham tapestry”, a 27-metre (88ft) woven graphical retelling of the past two years in British politics, as seen through Conservative eyes. Featuring Badenoch as a glorious 11th-century conquering warrior, the “tapestry” also depicts a tiny Jenrick wailing as he loses the leadership contest, as he watches a crowd cheering on his victor.
A little later, under the heading “Expelleth the Turncoat”, an outsized Badenoch is seen banishing her tiny, sobbing former colleague – as she stands next to a photocopier where, legend has it, Jenrick’s resignation letter was found. I was a massive fan, but now I couldn’t care less what he does,” he says. Referring to Jenrick’s hyperactive social media output, which regularly show the Reform economy spokesperson confronting fare-dodgers and shoplifters, he rolls his eyes.
I hope so.” The schadenfreude at Jenrick’s fading star is palpable at this conference. Unprompted, shadow cabinet ministers bring him up with unbridled delight. Others are surprised at their own strength of feeling towards a former colleague.
Repeating the mantra that they are more united behind Badenoch than any other leader in years, some credit Jenrick for bringing them closer together, because he had “briefed against everybody”. Another adds: “Rob leaving was like pulling out a splinter.” The commentary is not limited to gossip around the bars of Birmingham’s Hyatt hotel. Mentions of Jenrick are met with groans in the audience at a packed fringe event of shadow cabinet ministers hosted by More in Common.
Asked if he would consider taking Jenrick or any of the other three Tory MPs who defected back, the response of Alex Burghart, the party’s deputy leader, is unequivocal. Was he relieved they were gone? Others suggest Reform were welcome to one of their former star players.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
