A leaked media strategy for Robert Jenrick's defection to Reform UK describes him as 'the new sheriff in town' and the politician needed to give the party experience and political 'heft'. The six-page memo, reportedly annotated in Jenrick's own handwriting, also calls him 'the biggest defection story Reform has ever had' and 'the most dynamic politician in the Conservative party'.
The document was obtained by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's office and passed to newspapers. Jenrick's allies say it was not written by him. Jenrick, who came second to Badenoch in the Tory leadership race, announced his defection to Reform on Thursday after Badenoch learned of his plans and said he had been sacked and stripped of the party whip.
Zia Yusuf, Reform's head of policy, welcomed the defection after days of silence, saying Jenrick is 'thoughtful' and 'clear-eyed' about how the Tories betrayed the country. However, Yusuf indicated he had not known about the plans in advance. Reform has promised the defection of a 'well known' figure from Labour next week, with speculation it could be former Labour MP Kate Hoey.
In Sunday's newspapers, Jenrick told the Sun on Sunday that the Conservatives had become out of touch, saying 'The divide in British politics has become Reform's workers' party versus the Tory posh party'. Badenoch countered in the Telegraph, saying Jenrick's ambition is about 'personal ambition' and that he performs a 'pastiche of what he thinks the right wing is'.
