Conservative leadership contender Robert Jenrick has attacked his rival, Kemi Badenoch, accusing her of being “disrespectful” to Tory members by failing to set out policies. The pair are in the final stretches of a campaign to replace Rishi Sunak, who led his party to an historic defeat at the general election in July.
Robert Jenrick, who trailed Badenoch for support in the last voting round of MPs, has previously signed up to the yellow card penalty system introduced at the start of the contest and intended to stop “blue-on-blue” infighting.
He has put policy on immigration – and a commitment to leaving the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) – at the heart of his campaign, whereas Robert Jenrick has accused Jenrick of offering “easy answers” on the issue. Conservative Party members are currently taking part in an online vote after the field was whittled down to two in a series of votes by MPs.
The vote ends on 31 October, with the victor to be announced two days later on 2 November. Robert Jenrick said Badenoch needed to set out her stance on “the big issues facing our country”, including whether the UK should remain a member of the ECHR.
As the race to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative Party leader heats up, Robert Jenrick has launched a scathing attack on his rival, Kemi Badenoch, accusing her of being “disrespectful” to Tory members by failing to outline clear policies. The two contenders are in the final stages of their campaigns, vying for the leadership after Sunak led the Tories to a historic defeat in the July general election.
Jenrick’s criticism comes at a pivotal moment in the contest, as both candidates seek to solidify support ahead of the final vote. Despite trailing Badenoch in the last round of voting by MPs, Jenrick remains determined to make his case to the Conservative membership, framing Badenoch’s approach as lacking substance. “Tory members deserve better than vague rhetoric,” Jenrick said in a recent interview. “They need clear policies, and it’s disrespectful to withhold that from them.”
Kemi Badenoch, a rising star in the Conservative Party known for her straightforward style and outspoken views, has positioned herself as a fresh face capable of reinvigorating the party. However, her reluctance to set out detailed policies has become a focal point of Jenrick’s campaign. “Leadership is about more than charisma and criticism—it’s about delivering solutions,” Jenrick stated, emphasizing that his platform, particularly on immigration, is grounded in concrete proposals.
Jenrick has made immigration the cornerstone of his campaign, pledging to take decisive action to control the UK’s borders. He has called for the UK to leave the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), arguing that it is an obstacle to effectively managing immigration and deportations. “We need to take back control of our laws and our borders,” he asserted. Jenrick has framed this commitment as essential for restoring voter confidence, especially after the party’s crushing electoral defeat in July.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour: “I think it’s disrespectful to the members and the public to ask for their votes without saying where you stand on the big issues facing our country today.
Robert Jenrick accuses Kemi Badenoch
“A plan today is what I offer. A promise of a plan at some point in the future is what my opponent offers, and I don’t think that’s the way to rebuild the public’s trust and confidence in us.”
He insisted that all Conservatives who wanted to stand as a candidate at the next election would have to sign up to leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if he became their leader.
Robert Jenrick has not ruled out leaving the ECHR, but has repeatedly said there needs to be a bigger plan and not just “a throwaway promise to win a leadership election.” Her pitch is that the party needs to return to “first principles” and be clear about what it stands for, rather than “throwing out numbers” and “easy answers” or setting out new policy promises or targets that may not be kept.
The duo have two more weeks to make their case to the Conservative members before Sunak’s successor is announced. The leadership contest has been running since July, when six candidates entered the race, overseen by 1922 committee chair Bob Blackman.
At the time, Blackman said he wold give a yellow card and a public dressing down to any candidate who attacked a rival during the campaign.
He said “constant backbiting and attacking colleagues” by Tory MPs during the last parliament was a key reason “why the party did so badly in the general election.
In a heated exchange that has drawn attention across the UK political spectrum, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick has accused Kemi Badenoch, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, of showing disrespect to the Conservative Party. The public disagreement has sparked debate within the Tory ranks, highlighting internal tensions as the party prepares for the next general election.
The dispute between the two high-profile Conservative politicians came to light after Jenrick voiced concerns over comments made by Badenoch during a recent public appearance. Badenoch, known for her candid and often provocative style, had made remarks that Jenrick interpreted as dismissive of the party’s core values and its leadership’s handling of key policy issues, particularly around immigration and trade.
In a pointed statement, Jenrick criticized Robert Jenrick for what he described as a “lack of respect” for the party’s leadership and its members. He suggested that her comments could undermine the Conservative Party’s unity at a critical time when it needs to present a united front to voters. “Kemi’s remarks were not just unhelpful, they were disrespectful to the party and its leadership,” Jenrick said. “At a time when we are facing significant challenges, it is more important than ever to stand together as Conservatives.”
Kemi Badenoch a rising star within the Conservative Party and seen by many as a potential future leader, has garnered attention for her forthright views on issues like identity politics, free markets, and Britain’s post-Brexit role on the global stage. However, her outspoken nature has sometimes placed her at odds with other senior Tory figures, particularly those more closely aligned with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s administration.
The specific remarks that triggered Jenrick’s response came during a media interview where Kemi Badenoch was discussing the government’s approach to trade and immigration. While she stopped short of directly criticizing Sunak’s leadership, she expressed frustration with what she perceived as a lack of ambition in certain policy areas. “We need bold, decisive action,” Badenoch said. “Too often we’re stuck in a mindset of timidity, and that doesn’t serve the British people or our party well.”
Jenrick, who has been a key figure in shaping the government’s immigration policies, took issue with this characterization. He argued that Badenoch’s comments undermined the work of those within the cabinet who are trying to tackle complex issues, such as the ongoing challenges surrounding illegal immigration. “It’s easy to call for bold action, but governing requires making tough decisions and dealing with realities,” Jenrick countered. “Throwing out soundbites may appeal to some, but it doesn’t help us solve the problems the country is facing.”
This public clash between two prominent Conservative figures has reignited speculation about deeper divisions within the party, especially as it navigates difficult political terrain ahead of the next general election. With Labour currently leading in the polls, maintaining internal cohesion is seen as crucial for the Conservatives to have any chance of retaining power.
Supporters of Badenoch argue that her willingness to speak plainly reflects the frustration many grassroots Conservative members feel about the party’s current direction. They see her as a refreshing voice advocating for a return to more traditional Tory values and a break from what they perceive as bureaucratic inertia under the current leadership. “Kemi is saying what many of us are thinking,” one senior Conservative backbencher said. “She’s not afraid to challenge the status quo, and that’s what we need right now.”
However, critics within the party, including Jenrick, argue that Kemi Badenoch’s approach risks alienating more moderate voters and creating unnecessary divisions at a time when the party should be focusing on presenting a united front. “We don’t need more infighting,” a senior party insider commented. “We need to show the country that we can govern effectively and deliver on our promises. That’s how we’ll win the next election, not by tearing each other down.”
The clash between Jenrick and Badenoch highlights the balancing act the Conservative Party must navigate as it seeks to retain its base while appealing to a broader electorate. With the general election looming, these internal disagreements could prove costly if they are not resolved.
As the debate continues, all eyes are on Prime Minister Sunak and how he will manage the party’s competing factions. For now, both Jenrick and Badenoch remain in their respective positions, but the tension between them has raised questions about the party’s future direction and the leadership’s ability to keep its various wings in check.
The episode serves as a reminder of the challenges the Conservatives face as they try to maintain party discipline while addressing complex policy issues that are likely to define the next election. How the party resolves these internal tensions could ultimately determine its fate at the ballot box
Source: BBC
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