Robert Jenrick Launches Conservative Leadership Bid with Pledge to Win Next Election Through Radical Change

Robert Jenrick announces his candidacy for Conservative leadership, asserting the party's potential for victory in the upcoming election

In his campaign launch, the ex-immigration minister will emphasize the need for the party to demonstrate transformation to regain voter confidence.

Political correspondent @Journoamrogers

Thursday, August 1, 2024, 10:

Robert Jenrick believes the Conservative Party has the potential to secure a victory in the upcoming election, but he acknowledges they face a significant challenge and need to demonstrate an understanding of their past mistakes.

The ex-minister of immigration is set to officially kick off his bid for the leadership of the Conservative Party this Friday.

He will state that the Conservatives must implement "significant reforms" to regain the confidence of the electorate after the party's most dismal general election performance in history.

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The MP from Newark is anticipated to declare at a campaign rally in the East Midlands: "We face a significant challenge.

"Building trust requires effort and time, yet it can be quickly shattered. Rebuilding it is not an immediate process."

"However, if the party absorbs the tough lessons, pays attention to the nation, and demonstrates it has transformed—if we prove to the nation that we have heeded their voice, if we acknowledge our mistakes and show we have learned from them—if we illustrate that we grasp the magnitude of the nation's challenges and are ready to effectively serve Britain once more, if we reveal that we have unified, diverse yet bonded by shared beliefs…

"Most importantly, by demonstrating our transformation, I am confident in our ability to succeed once more."

"Not in two terms, not in ten years, but at the upcoming general election."

Mr. Jenrick has become the sixth Tory MP to announce his candidacy in the leadership contest to succeed Rishi Sunak as the Conservative leader.

He will go head-to-head with shadow communities secretary Kemi Badenoch, shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride, shadow security minister Tom Tugendhat, shadow home secretary James Cleverly, and the former home secretary, Dame Priti Patel.

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On Monday, ex-home secretary Suella Braverman, previously considered a favorite among conservatives for the future leadership of the Tory party, announced she would not enter the leadership contest, citing accusations from peers who labeled her "mad, bad, and dangerous."

Since 2014, Mr. Jenrick has served as the MP for Newark and has occupied several ministerial positions within the House of Commons, such as Secretary of State for Housing, Minister for Health, and Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury.

He was a supporter of Mr. Sunak, yet he stepped down from his role as immigration minister last year due to disagreements with the previous prime minister's proposal to deport migrants to Rwanda, criticizing the policy as a "victory of optimism over reality."

In a recent campaign video, Mr. Jenrick stated that Mr. Sunak's party has failed to take the necessary actions to decrease migration to the UK, either due to incapacity or lack of will.

Explore further: Badenoch dismisses allegations of bullying as completely unfounded attacks. Braverman expresses hope of not being forced to join Reform UK by peers.

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Mr. Jenrick plans to campaign on reducing immigration levels and withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights, commitments Mr. Sunak had previously hesitated to make.

Candidates for the Conservative Party leadership need the endorsement of 10 supporters to officially enter the contest.

The number of contenders will be narrowed to four by the time of the Conservative conference in Birmingham, after which Members of Parliament will select two final candidates. These candidates will then be put to a vote among the members of the Conservative Party.

The announcement of the new leader is set for November 2.

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