Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has dramatically sacked Robert Jenrick from his role as shadow justice secretary, ending months of internal party strife and speculation about his ambitions. The shock move on Thursday 15 January 2026 came after Badenoch's team reportedly obtained conclusive proof that Jenrick was preparing to defect to Nigel Farage's Reform UK.
A Fractious Relationship Comes to a Head
The relationship between the two senior Tories has been fraught since they contested the party leadership just 14 months ago. Badenoch emerged victorious, securing 56 per cent of the vote among party members, but Jenrick remained a persistent and high-profile rival. In recent months, he garnered significant attention through a series of media stunts, including a viral video where he confronted alleged fare dodgers on London's transport network, which was viewed more than 10 million times.
Sources close to Badenoch state that a confrontational meeting took place before Christmas, where Jenrick denied plans to join Reform. However, senior figures around the Tory leader became convinced he was, at minimum, plotting a future leadership bid. The final catalyst for the sacking was the discovery in the past 24 hours of what insiders describe as "totally irrefutable" evidence, including a copy of a prepared resignation speech and reports of meetings with Reform figures, culminating in a dinner with Nigel Farage last month.
Months of Speculation and Undermining
Badenoch's leadership has faced sustained pressure, with Jenrick frequently seen as a source of destabilisation. His public profile often overshadowed the leader's, particularly during a difficult conference season marked by low energy and a lack of corporate sponsorship. For months, Tory MPs privately despaired at Badenoch's performances at Prime Minister's Questions, where she struggled to land blows on a Labour party itself trailing Reform in the polls.
Jenrick's allies offer a counter-narrative, claiming the real reason for his dismissal was an anticipated leadership challenge planned for after the May elections, which are widely predicted to be disastrous for the Conservatives. They allege Badenoch moved pre-emptively to "take Robert out" before he could gather the necessary letters of no confidence to trigger a contest.
A Pyrrhic Victory for the Tory Leader?
While Badenoch may be relieved to no longer face daily questions about her rival's intentions, the move carries significant risk. It hands a major propaganda victory to Nigel Farage and Reform UK, who have successfully deepened divisions within the Conservative Party. Farage recently unveiled ex-chancellor Nadhim Zahawi as a new recruit, and the Jenrick saga further fuels the narrative of a governing party in terminal decline.
Ultimately, Badenoch has chosen to remove a long-standing thorn in her side. However, the episode exposes the profound and ongoing turmoil within the Conservatives, with the threat from Reform UK now appearing as a clear and present danger not just at the ballot box, but within Westminster itself.
