The political defection of former Conservative minister Robert Jenrick to Reform UK has hit significant turbulence, with senior figures within Nigel Farage's party pointedly refusing to back his ambitions for a prominent leadership position.
A Chilly Welcome for the 'New Sheriff'
Mr Jenrick's move, which his own aides had privately billed as 'the biggest defection story Reform has ever had (and likely ever will be', has been met with a notably cool reception from established party members. A leaked memo from his team had framed the MP as 'the new sheriff in town', but this bold claim quickly unravelled.
Reform's deputy leader, Richard Tice, pointedly declined to endorse Jenrick for the role of Shadow Chancellor—a position Tice himself has long been tipped to take. When asked by the BBC if he would support Jenrick for the crucial economic brief, Tice stated, 'Look Nigel's the boss... The great thing is we've got a multitude of talent.' Pressed further, he would only repeat that the 'boss' would decide on roles in due course.
Internal Rivalry and Policy Differences Emerge
The internal tensions extend beyond Tice. Reform's head of policy, Zia Yusuf—also considered a contender for the Shadow Chancellor role—offered only a measured assessment of the new recruit. He described Jenrick as 'thoughtful' and 'clear-eyed' about Tory failures, but stopped short of a full-throated welcome.
Policy disagreements also surfaced immediately. Mr Jenrick suggested Reform needed to 'think through' its policy on lifting the two-child benefit cap, a statement that prompted a firm rebuttal from Richard Tice, who emphasised that the party's focus was on supporting 'working families, British families.'
Even Reform's candidate for London mayor, Laila Cunningham—who had used the phrase 'new sheriff in town' for herself just a week prior—was lukewarm. She admitted she was not immediately convinced by his defection, saying, 'So when he first defected I was, "let's see what he's going to say in his speech".'
Mockery and a Secretive Media Plan Exposed
The Conservative Party wasted no time in mocking their former colleague. Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake quipped, 'It seems the new sheriff isn't welcome in Reform town', adding that voters wanted 'a serious team with a clear plan... not a saloon full of egos.'
Further embarrassment followed the leak of a secret six-page 'media plan' drawn up by Jenrick's team. The memo, handed to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, urged him to 'use humour - one of your best skills' and included prepared quips for media interviews. It even suggested a response if Nigel Farage was described as being 'only good for a pint': 'Well, Nigel is still good for a pint!'
The document, described as an 'Alan Partridge-style speech in the mirror' effort, advised Jenrick to 'be demonstrative (in particular hands)' and to 'dismiss and shut down stupid questions, often with humour.'
Amid the fallout, Reform mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns publicly backed the party's decision to impose a deadline for further defections, stating she 'completely agreed' with the move to 'pull up the drawbridge to the Conservatives.' She added, 'We don't need their arrogance saying they are coming on board to "help".'
The episode reveals the significant challenges Robert Jenrick faces in integrating into his new political home, where his arrival is viewed with scepticism by key power brokers and has already sparked public disagreements on policy and positioning.
