Robert Jenrick Tackles Party Failures and Sets Conservative Revival Agenda Amid Leadership Bid

At his campaign kickoff in Newark for the Conservative leadership, Robert Jenrick criticized Labour for dishonesty but acknowledged that the Conservatives had disappointed the public. Jenrick, who is among six candidates vying to succeed Rishi Sunak, presented a set of goals contrasting with those of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. He expressed skepticism about treating the NHS as a sacrosanct institution, advocated for reducing government size, and described the political system as "utterly dysfunctional."

Political journalist @alixculbertson

Friday, August 2, 2024, at 6

For an optimal video viewing experience, it is recommended to use the Chrome browser

Robert Jenrick has expressed that the political system he was involved in is dysfunctional, and he believes he is the candidate who can reform it as the leader of the Conservative Party.

At a campaign event in his Newark constituency, the ex-minister expressed his desire to "revitalize our party" and committed to transforming it back into a "broad-based membership organization."

He is competing with five other Conservatives for leadership following Rishi Sunak, including Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Dame Priti Patel, Mel Stride, and Tom Tugendhat.

He acknowledged that the Conservative Party "disappointed many," and emphasized the need to "face some difficult realities."

"He stated, 'The main issue is that we failed to fulfill our commitment to the British people to manage and decrease immigration, and to provide the secure borders that they rightfully expect.'"

Mr. Jenrick resigned from his position as immigration minister due to his disagreement with Mr. Sunak's proposal to deport migrants to Rwanda, characterizing the legislation as overly optimistic and impractical.

He informed the gathering that he stepped down from his position because he refused to be "just another minister who doesn't keep their word on immigration issues."

'The NHS is a public institution, not a belief system'

Mr. Jenrick also mentioned that his resignation was due to the unfulfilled commitments regarding the economy and healthcare.

"He highlighted how funds have been squandered in areas of inefficiency and waste. He noted that new bureaucratic organizations were permitted to emerge. Additionally, he pointed out that ineffective management has not faced consequences," he added.

We permitted the front-line heroes of the NHS to be failed by the inefficiencies of the administrative support.

"Most importantly, we failed to remember that the NHS is a public service, not a sacred institution."

Mr. Jenrick emphasized that the party should avoid repeating past mistakes, confronting tough choices head-on and not being frightened by their own fears.

He stated that the existing political framework "is not serving the British public effectively" while rejecting the notion that the Tories are solely to blame for these issues, noting that these are common challenges across many Western nations.

Preferred candidate aims to impress and secure the leading position

Political correspondent

Addressing the audience for a quarter of an hour unaided by notes, the ex-immigration minister previously dubbed Robert "Generic" aimed to demonstrate to party affiliates his flair for leadership.

The speech had echoes of David Cameron’s 2005 address at the Tory conference, where he spoke without notes and challenged the party to recognize its shortcomings, propelling him from a lesser-known candidate to the leading contender for leadership.

Jenrick confidently presented his analysis of the factors leading to the defeat, citing several governmental shortcomings with immigration being the primary issue. He emphasized that the party must confront difficult realities to stand a chance of rebounding.

He highlighted two key reasons to support his leadership capabilities: his unexpected victory in Newark, a typical Midlands small town that is crucial for the Conservative Party's potential resurgence.

His resignation from the position of immigration minister in Rishi Sunak's cabinet was driven by what he described as "a cycle of broken promises" that he felt powerless to stop.

He mentioned that apart from addressing migration, his party must focus on urban housing construction to prevent young adults from having to live in their parents' homes.

He stated that the party must address its diminished reputation for "reliable fiscal governance" and its inability to make appropriate decisions regarding the NHS.

When questioned about his transformation from a staunch supporter of remaining in the EU to a conservative detractor of his party, advocating for the UK's exit from the European Convention on Human Rights, he attributed it to his two-year tenure at the Home Office. During that time, he asserted, the government lacked the authority to control immigration effectively or to prevent the entry of potentially dangerous individuals.

Jenrick is gaining favor with conservative lawmakers. He is now the top pick among betting agencies to clinch the victory.

Should he make it to the final round, his victory will depend on the party members accepting his transformation and supporting him against other more prominent figures in the contest.

'The system is entirely dysfunctional'

Mr. Jenrick expressed that while he initially thought the system was effective, he has come to see over the last two years that "a different approach is needed." He noted that the "overbearing and powerless" state should be scaled back.

He underscored his firm stance on immigration, stating that he "persistently battled" to address widespread migration issues "that most people support."

Stay updated on the most recent developments from the UK and globally by tuning into Sky News.

"He stated that our political system was either incapable or unwilling to implement the necessary changes our country requires."

"After much consideration, I realized that the structure I had supported and been involved in was fundamentally flawed and was playing a role in our country's deterioration."

Discover more: Who are the contenders in the Conservative party leadership contest?

Stay updated with the latest breaking news

Download the Sky News application at no cost

Increased incarceration facilities, higher military budgets, and reduced government size

Mr. Jenrick charged the Labour Party with deceiving the public during their initial month of governance, stating that this is why "our party continues to be the best option for our nation" – although he acknowledged it must undergo transformation.

Detailing his plans if elected as prime minister, he stated that the construction of additional prisons is required, defense expenditures should be no less than 3% of GDP, and a minimal government is essential.

Mr. Jenrick demonstrated his winning capabilities by leveraging his latest success in Newark, where he has served as an MP since 2010.

"He concluded by stating, 'If we demonstrate that we are once again a united front, diverse yet sharing core beliefs – and most importantly, if we show that we have transformed – then we can be victorious once more.'"

"We have the ability to triumph once more. Not a decade from now. Not over the span of two terms. But we can secure a victory in the upcoming national election."

When parliament reconvenes on September 2, the number of contenders for the Conservative party leadership will be reduced to four. This group will be further cut down to two finalists before the party membership casts their votes for the new leader on October 31.

Associated Subjects

Footer of Sky News

Information on Sky News

Services Offered by Sky News

Sky Networks

Additional Sky Websites