Reform MP Squirms Under TV Spotlight After Accidental Vote on Child Poverty
Reform MP Robert Jenrick has been forced into a defensive position on national television, vehemently denying any confusion over his party's policy after a significant parliamentary voting error. The former Conservative minister, alongside fellow Tory defector Suella Braverman, inadvertently voted with Labour MPs last week to abolish the controversial two-child benefit cap. This legislative measure, if passed, is projected to lift approximately 450,000 children out of poverty across the United Kingdom.
A Costly Mistake in the Division Lobby
During a crucial parliamentary vote, Jenrick entered the incorrect division lobby, a procedural misstep that resulted in his vote being recorded in favour of scrapping the benefit limit. Confronted by Sky News presenter Sophy Ridge, Jenrick explained the circumstances of his error. "I went into the wrong division lobby, and what happens is that the doors close and you don't have an opportunity to leave," he stated. "I didn't swipe my cards, there's also a kind of technical debate about whether I voted or not, but obviously it is a mistake, I didn't mean to do it."
Ridge pressed the MP on whether he had become muddled about Reform UK's evolving stance on the policy. The party, under leader Nigel Farage, has previously expressed support for abolishing the cap entirely but has since revised its position. "I can see why you're confused because Reform was in favour of scrapping it. And then all of a sudden they weren't in favour of scrapping it," Ridge challenged. "So, I mean, did you get confused about Reform's policy?"
Insisting on Clarity Amidst Political Chaos
Jenrick, who is widely tipped to be Farage's potential Chancellor should Reform gain power, firmly rejected the suggestion of confusion. "Reform's policy is clear," he asserted. When Ridge retorted, "Yeah, I know you know it now, but at that moment, did you not know then what Reform's policy was?" the MP maintained his stance, attributing the incident solely to a lobby error.
He elaborated, "Just to be super clear, you knew what the policy was, you just got confused about which was the right lobby?" Ridge inquired. Jenrick responded, "Yeah, I've been a member for 11 years," referencing his long tenure in Parliament before the host interjected, "Come on, you didn't know what it was, you got confused over Reform's policy, no?" The MP battled back, "No, of course I didn't."
Nevertheless, Jenrick conceded that this was the first such mistake in over a decade of his parliamentary career. He cited a precedent, recalling, "I remember Michael Gove doing it once when he was the Conservative Party's chief whip and he had to hide in the toilet in order not to end up voting. It does happen to people. Of course, it's not ideal, but these things happen."
Reform's Policy Reversal and Parliamentary Fallout
The incident highlights Reform UK's fluctuating position on the two-child benefit cap. Initially, Farage pledged to abolish the Tory-era limit as part of broader spending commitments. However, the party has since executed a U-turn, now stating that lifting the cap would only apply to British families where both parents are in full-time employment.
In the contentious vote, no vote was recorded for Nigel Farage himself, while Reform's five other MPs voted against the government's legislation. A party spokesperson later clarified, "They made a genuine mistake walking through the wrong lobby."
Labour minister Torsten Bell offered a scathing critique of the situation, labelling it a "chaotic carnival of chancers." He remarked, "Jenrick and Braverman vote FOR the abolition of the two child limit while the other four Reform MPs vote against - and of course Farage doesn't even bother turning up to do his job." This episode underscores the ongoing political turbulence and policy inconsistencies within Reform UK as it positions itself for future electoral contests.
