Conservative councillor Sam Smith described feeling 'betrayed' after his long-time friend and MP Robert Jenrick defected to Reform UK, blindsiding local party members. Smith, who led Jenrick's 2024 re-election campaign, said he learned of the defection through media reports while attending a council meeting.
Smith revealed that Jenrick had messaged the Newark Conservative Association group chat just hours before the announcement, discussing plans to oppose Labour's business rates hike. 'Nobody expected it because we've been working so closely,' Smith said, adding that Jenrick did not inform him despite multiple interactions since September, when defection talks began.
Jenrick launched a blistering attack on consecutive Conservative governments at a Reform press conference, declaring 'Britain is broken. Britain needs Reform.' Smith noted that Jenrick finally called him late Thursday night, apologising for not disclosing his plans earlier.
Newark voters expressed mixed reactions. Butcher Andrew Hind, 68, said he would continue to support Jenrick under Reform, while charity worker Catherine accused the MP of being 'not interested' in local issues and 'all out for himself.'
