Conservative leadership candidate Robert Jenrick has criticised fellow contender Kemi Badenoch’s approach to migration policy.
Speaking on GB News, Jenrick emphasised the need for clear positions to win back voters who have shifted to the Reform UK Party.
He stated: “We lost four million voters to Reform at the last election, and I think that those people, perhaps like you, are deeply sceptical of my party and that it is going to take a lot to persuade you to come back.”
Jenrick argued that the Conservative Party must change fundamentally and deliver on key issues, particularly legal and illegal migration, to regain public trust.
Robert Jenrick hit out at Kemi Badenoch’s approach to policy
GB News
Jenrick highlighted the Conservative Party’s failure on immigration and stressed the importance of having specific policies now rather than vague promises.
He said: “I think that a plan now is always more valuable than a vague promise of one tomorrow.
“And I think that people are very sceptical about the Conservative Party right now, particularly on some of these issues like immigration, where we failed.”
Jenrick argued that people are sceptical about the Conservative Party, particularly on issues like immigration.
He added: “We didn’t do enough when we were in office. And I think just saying that we will think this through, we’ll come forward with policies in the months or years to come, isn’t going to cut it.
“If my colleagues are on the doorstep trying to persuade people like the audience tonight next year, in the May local elections, perhaps when there are Reform candidates standing against Conservatives, we need to have very clear, crystal clear positions, and that’s what I offer.”
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Kemi Badenoch is battling Jenrick to become the next Conservative Party leader
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Jenrick directly addressed Badenoch’s position, telling GB News: “Kemi doesn’t think that. She thinks that we should spend more time mulling this over. I think that’s a mistake.”
Despite their differences, Jenrick expressed willingness to serve in Badenoch’s shadow cabinet if he loses the leadership race.
He admitted: “I don’t expect to lose, or certainly don’t hope to lose. But yes absolutely [I would serve in Kemi Badenoch’s shadow cabinet] and I would be the first to say to Kemi, please come and join my shadow cabinet in a senior position.”
This statement underscores Jenrick’s commitment to party unity while maintaining his stance on the need for immediate, clear policy positions.
Robert Jenrick told GB News that the Tories ‘must deliver on migration promises’ to win back voters
GB News
In addition to his comments on migration policy, Jenrick recently criticised Labour’s budget, calling it a “Halloween horror show”.
Speaking to Sky News, he accused Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves of acting like a “compulsive liar” after announcing £40 billion in tax hikes.
Jenrick said, “This was the biggest political heist in modern British history. £40billion of tax rises hurting people across this country.”
He further claimed that Reeves had broken election promises, stating, “Just three months ago, the Labour party won the election on a pledge not to raise taxes. I’m afraid Rachel Reeves is acting like a compulsive liar.”
Jenrick added that the public would not trust the Labour government, accusing them of “making it up to justify immense tax rises”.
