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Opinion: Sacking ‘traitors’ kicks off Conservatives’ desperate battle against reform
Jane DaltonJanuary 16, 2026 04:00
Labor brands Jenrick a ‘shameless speculator’
Labor has branded Tory reformist defector Robert Jenrick a “shameless speculator”.
Labor leader Anna Turley said: “Robert Jenrick said the Tories ruined Britain. Now he wants to do the same thing again with Farage’s reforms. He is a shameless speculator who, like other failed Tories rushing through reforms, is more interested in his career than the country.
“The reforms under Jenrick clearly hope to bring about the same chaos and decline that he experienced during his time in government.
“While the Tories and Reform factions argue with each other, Labor is delivering on the priorities of the British people and cutting the cost of living.”
Jane DaltonJanuary 16, 2026 03:00
Analysis: How a mild-mannered member of Congress became a ‘Trumpian hellbender’
How mild-mannered Robert Jenrick turned into a ‘Trumpian hellraiser’
Ten years ago, Robert Jenrick, a moderate centrist lawyer, was exactly the kind of safe candidate the Conservatives didn’t have to worry about. So how did he become such a controversial figure? As Kemi Badenoch sacks the shadow justice secretary for conspiring against her, political editor David Maddox traces his journey to find out whether he is truly an ideological convert, or just an extreme opportunist
Jane DaltonJanuary 16, 2026 02:00
WATCH: Farage left awkward moment waiting as Jenrick fails to turn up
Awkward moment Farage left waiting as Jenrick failed to attend unveiling of his own reforms
It’s the awkward moment Nigel Farage has been waiting for as Robert Jenrick fails to attend the unveiling of his own Reform Britain. Mr Jenrick was sacked by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch on Thursday (January 15) after she accused him of “secretly plotting to defect”. Just hours later, Mr Farage announced Mr Jenrick as the party’s new member, appearing shy as the former Tory MP failed to appear on stage. “It really puts a tin lid on the whole thing,” he said. When Mr Jenrick finally appeared on stage more than a minute later, Mr Farage told him: “I don’t know where you’ve been.”
Jane DaltonJanuary 16, 2026 01:00
WATCH: Jenrick rules out reform defection weeks before pivot
WATCH: Jenrick rules out reform defection weeks before sacking
Robert Jenrick ruled out traveling to Reform Britain weeks before he was sacked amid “irrefutable evidence he was plotting to defect” from the Conservative Party. The former shadow justice secretary told Times Radio on December 3 that he was “not going anywhere”, responding to rumors that Reform Party members were excited about the prospect of him serving as chancellor in a reform government. The Conservative leader announced she had sacked him in a video message on Thursday (January 15). The plane landed as Nigel Farage held a high-profile press conference on Reform Britain in Scotland.
Jane DaltonJanuary 15, 2026 22:59
Lib Dems say Jenrick has an ‘industrial-grade brass neck’
The Lib Dems said Mr Jenrick had an “industrial-grade brass neck” to complain about the state of the country “when he and his Tory cronies have done so much damage to our country and to trust and confidence in politics”.
Daisy Cooper, the party’s deputy leader, said: “Reform and the Conservatives are two sides of the same coin. Across the country, the Lib Dems are leading the fight to defeat them.”
Jane DaltonJanuary 15, 2026 21:59
Jenrick admits responsibility for Tories’ mistakes
Robert Jenrick, who appeared alongside Nigel Farage, admitted he was responsible for errors in the Tory record but claimed his efforts as a minister had been let down by Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.
He said: “I cannot in good conscience continue to support a party that has failed so badly, has no regrets and has not changed, and I know in my heart that it will not and cannot deliver what is needed.”
Noting that he did not agree with everything Mr Farage said, Mr Jenrick continued: “Looking back, I see that Nigel was often a lone voice of common sense at a time when both major parties were letting the UK down.”
Jane DaltonJanuary 15, 2026 21:10
Badenock says Jenrick has gone to where he belongs
Kemi Badenock has hit back at Robert Jenrick after he attacked the Tories, accusing him of promoting himself rather than serving Britain.
“People enter politics for their own ambitions so they can be on TV or continue i’m a celebrityor whatever – these are people who are damaging politics by not being interested in day-to-day issues,” she said during a visit to Scotland.
“They’re not interested in legislation. They want to send out tweets and create a buzz on social media.
“They were not happy with the way I ran the party and wanted it to be serious. Now they have gone where they belong.”
Jane DaltonJanuary 15, 2026 20:31
Farage says Jenrick will join my top team
Nigel Farage has said Robert Jenrick will join the front team of Reform Britain, while the defector claimed Reform was “building and recruiting” a team made up of people “ignored and all but shut out of politics” by both main parties.
Mr Farage said: “I think Rob’s arrival will bring us more people and voters. I think it’s actually a very important moment and that’s why we’ve been talking about it for a long time.”
He admitted it took him a long time to convince himself that Mr Jenrick’s transformation was genuine.
“I think he may have done this to gain political advantage within the Conservative Party and become leader,” he said. “I had my doubts, but since the summer I’ve come to believe that this man has actually been on a real journey and that he sees the country very differently.”
Jane DaltonJanuary 15, 2026 20:08