Robert Jenrick Launches Conservative Leadership Bid with Promise of Party Transformation and Election Victory

Robert Jenrick believes the Conservatives have a shot at the upcoming election, as he kicks off his campaign to become the party leader. The ex-immigration minister plans to convey to his followers that the party needs to demonstrate a transformation to regain voter confidence.

Political journalist @Journoamrogers

Thursday, August 1, 2024, 10:

Robert Jenrick believes the Conservatives have a chance to succeed in the upcoming election; however, he acknowledges that they face significant challenges and need to demonstrate areas where they have faltered.

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

He will declare that the Conservatives must implement "significant reforms" to regain the confidence of voters after experiencing their most dismal general election performance in history.

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The representative from Newark is anticipated to declare at a campaign event in the East Midlands, "We face a significant challenge."

"Building trust is a challenging battle, yet it can be quickly shattered. Rebuilding it is not an instantaneous process."

"However, if the party absorbs the tough lessons, pays attention to the nation, and demonstrates that it has evolved—if we prove to the nation that we have heard them, if we acknowledge our past mistakes and have taken them to heart—if we indicate that we grasp the magnitude of the nation's challenges and are prepared to successfully serve Britain once more, if we show that we have unified, representing diverse views but bound by a shared belief…

"Most importantly, demonstrating our transformation will undoubtedly pave the way for future victories."

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

Mr. Jenrick has become the sixth Tory MP to announce his candidacy in the leadership contest following Rishi Sunak's departure.

He will be in competition with shadow communities secretary Kemi Badenoch, shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride, shadow security minister Tom Tugendhat, shadow home secretary James Cleverly, and former home secretary Dame Priti Patel.

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On Monday, ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman, previously viewed as a favorite among conservatives for the next Conservative party leader, announced she would not enter the contest, stating that her peers had labeled her "mad, bad, and dangerous."

Since 2014, Mr. Jenrick has served as the MP for Newark and has occupied various governmental positions in the House of Commons, such as the Secretary of State for Housing, a health minister, and a treasury minister.

He was an ally of Mr. Sunak, yet he stepped down as the immigration minister last year due to disagreements with the previous prime minister's proposal to deport migrants to Rwanda, criticizing the policy as overly optimistic and unrealistic.

In a recent campaign video, Mr. Jenrick claimed that Mr. Sunak's party has failed to take the necessary actions to decrease immigration to the UK, suggesting they are either incapable or reluctant to do so.

Further reading: Badenoch dismisses allegations of bullying as 'completely unfounded attacks.' Braverman expresses hope of not being ousted to Reform UK by peers.

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

Candidates vying for the Conservative Party leadership need the endorsement of 10 colleagues 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 MPs will select two final candidates. These candidates will then participate in a vote among Conservative party members.

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

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