A secret memo in which former Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick styled himself as 'the new sheriff in town' was intercepted by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, triggering his dramatic expulsion from the party and defection to Reform UK. The private media plan, obtained by The Mail on Sunday, laid out Jenrick's strategy for joining Nigel Farage's party in what he billed as the biggest defection story Reform would ever see.
The Leaked Plan and Grand Ambitions
The six-page document, along with handwritten notes and a draft resignation speech, was passed to Ms Badenoch by a mole within Mr Jenrick's office. This pre-emptive leak forced the Tory leader's hand, leading her to sack him on Thursday. The memo contained remarkably self-aggrandising claims, describing Jenrick as 'the most popular Tory Shadow Cabinet member' and a 'leader-in-waiting if Kemi ever falls'.
In notes scrawled in what appears to be his own handwriting, Jenrick praised Nigel Farage as the 'only person in British politics [to have] been consistent' and the 'obviously right person to lead the charge'. The media plan urged him to leverage humour, stating it was one of his best skills, and advised him to provide 'clear, affirmative' answers while being demonstrative with his hands.
Chaotic Fallout and Westminster Recriminations
Blindsided by the leak, Jenrick was bounced into formally announcing his defection at a press conference with Nigel Farage just hours after his sacking. This came only three days after former Tory Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi also switched allegiance to Reform. The cloak-and-dagger nature of the leak has sparked fevered speculation in Westminster about the identity of the mole within Jenrick's camp.
In the aftermath, Tory MPs have complained of a 'witch hunt' by Badenoch allies quizzing them on their loyalty. Meanwhile, senior Tory sources suggest the leader could use Jenrick's departure to reshuffle her Shadow Cabinet and 'clear out the dead wood'. Reform sources, however, claim a 'clutch' of further defections from the Conservatives is expected, with former Home Secretary Suella Braverman said to be 'very much in play'. Nigel Farage has also claimed a 'well-known Labour figure' will defect this week.
The Final Straw and Personal Ambition
The Mail on Sunday understands that Jenrick's final decision to defect followed a phone call with Kemi Badenoch earlier this month. The conversation centred on his criticism of the UK's decision to grant citizenship to extremist dissident Alaa Abd El-Fattah—a move made under the previous Conservative government. A source close to Jenrick said he told Badenoch that figures like Priti Patel and James Cleverly needed to be sacked to show the party had changed, but she allegedly deflected the conversation.
A source close to the Tory leadership suggested Jenrick had been 'radicalised by his own personal ambition' and that of his wife, corporate lawyer Michal Berkner. They stated the rift was simple: 'He wants to be Prime Minister and leader of the party and she won the job'. The leaked media plan was mocked by some Tory MPs as an 'Alan Partridge-style motivational speech in the mirror'.
In response to the revelations, a spokesman for Robert Jenrick said: 'Nice try, but as the document makes clear Rob is just a member of Nigel’s team and wants to help get him in as prime minister.' As the political fallout continues, all eyes are on Westminster for the next potential defection and on Reform UK as it gears up for the local elections on May 7th.
