Robert Jenrick has likened Kemi Badenoch’s chances of becoming Prime Minister to those of Green leader and ex-hypnotherapist Zack Polanski.
Reform UK’s newest MP added the decision for voters at the next General Election in 2029 would be “Nigel or bust”, in an exclusive sit-down interview with GB News’ Political Editor Christopher Hope.
He made the bold declaration just a day after his dramatic departure from the Conservative Party when Tory leader Kemi Badenoch ousted her Shadow Justice Secretary from his position over a “secret” plot to defect to Nigel Farage’s party.
A few hours later, Nigel Farage unveiled Mr Jenrick as Reform UK’s sixth MP.
Upon making his decision to leave the party, of which he had been a member of since he was a teen, the ex-Tory explained why he reached his decision to leave.
Mr Jenrick said he had spoken with his family on the matter over Christmas, telling Christopher: “We talked about it and they all said to me, ‘Robert, if there was a General Election tomorrow and you were not in politics, how would you vote?’
“‘I said Reform. They said to me, ‘if there was a General Election tomorrow and you were asked who you want as Prime Minister of this country, Keir Starmer or Nigel Farage, who would you choose?’
“Blink of an eye. Nigel Farage.”
The Newark MP rallied behind Nigel Farage as Britain’s next Prime Minister on GB News
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GB NEWS
On whether his former leader Kemi Badenoch stood a chance to be the next in line to move into Downing Street, he said Mrs Badenoch would not be next in line for No10.
He added: “And I don’t mean that with any disrespect to her, but Kemi has as much chance of being our next Prime Minister as Zack Polanski.
“It’s not going to happen. The choice is Starmer – or goodness knows who else – or Nigel. So everyone has to get behind Nigel.”
While Reform UK has soared in the polls, reaching highs of 31 per cent of support amongst would-be voters, the Conservatives have not enjoyed such a boost to their ratings.
INSIDE THE TORY-REFORM WAR – READ MORE:
Mr Jenrick came second to Mrs Badenoch during the 2024 leadership race
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PA
In a fiery clapback, the Tories told the People’s Channel: “As Nigel Farage has said, Robert Jenrick is a total fraud.
“He’ll stab his new colleagues in the back just like he did his former colleagues, friends and the voters of Newark.”
Swathes of the Conservative Party have hit out at Mr Jenrick’s decision amid claims the Reform MP switched allegiance over personal ambition.
In their January MRP, pollsters at More In Common have placed the Tories 10 per cent behind Mr Jenrick’s new party on 21 per cent.
And Mr Jenrick’s defection from the Conservatives to Reform UK could spell further trouble for the fate of the Tory Party.
Exclusive polling for the People’s Channel revealed fresh data from the experts at Merlin Strategy showed that a fifth of Britons were now more likely to vote for Reform following Mr Jenrick’s switch of allegiance.
Nineteen per cent of those polled were now tempted to back Mr Farage’s party, trumping the 13 per cent who said they were now less likely to do so.
The majority of respondents revealed the move had made no difference, with 54 per cent sharing it had no impact on their voting intention.
Thirteen per cent remained unsure of where their ballot would be cast.