Senior Conservative figure Robert Jenrick has declared his commitment to “unite the right” ahead of the next general election, suggesting a possible alliance between the Conservative Party and Reform UK.
His remarks, caught in a secretly recorded conversation, have ignited fierce debate across the political spectrum, drawing both support and criticism.
Jenrick, widely regarded as a potential successor to Kemi Badenoch as party leader, made the comments during a private discussion with students in March. In the recording, he expressed concern that Reform UK could become a “permanent or semi-permanent fixture on the British political scene”.
He emphasized that such a development could weaken the right-wing vote and enable Labour’s Keir Starmer to secure victory. “If that is the case, and I am trying to do everything I can to stop that being the case, then life becomes a lot harder for us, because the right is not united,” Jenrick said.
He warned of the consequences of a divided right-wing vote.
“You head towards a general election where the nightmare scenario is that Keir Starmer sails in through the middle as a result of the two parties not being united.
“I don’t know about you, I am not prepared for that to happen. I want the right to be united, and one way or another I am determined to do that.”
Robert Jenrick
The timing of the revelation is crucial, as it lands just over a week before local elections that are projected to be particularly damaging for the Conservative Party. With Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, showing consistent strength in recent polls, many believe that Badenoch’s leadership will face a serious test in the coming contests.
Badenoch Faces Leadership Pressure
This will mark Badenoch’s first electoral challenge since succeeding Rishi Sunak as Conservative leader. Analysts suggest that a poor performance could deepen speculation about her political future, especially if influential party members like Jenrick are perceived to be maneuvering for post-election positioning.
Labour wasted no time in reacting to the controversy. Party chair Ellie Reeves challenged Badenoch directly, urging her to “come clean” about whether she supports Jenrick’s push for a coalition with Reform UK. “If she disagrees with Robert Jenrick, how can her leadership have any credibility whilst he remains in her Shadow Cabinet?” Reeves asked.
She also drew a sharp contrast between Labour’s stance and what she called a Conservative-Reform alliance.
“We know Kemi Badenoch has opened the door to deals with Reform at a local level, which Labour has categorically ruled out and now Robert Jenrick has let the cat out the bag.”
Ellie Reeves
Reeves continued her criticism by highlighting what she views as the risks of any such alliance. “Between the Tories who decimated the NHS and Reform who want to make people pay for routine treatments, it’s a recipe for chaos and would be a disaster for Britain.”
The Liberal Democrats have echoed Labour’s alarm. Deputy leader Daisy Cooper demanded Jenrick’s immediate dismissal from the Shadow Cabinet. “The cat is out of the bag, senior Conservatives are plotting a grubby election deal with Nigel Farage,” she said. “Anything less would show she’s either too weak or that she agrees.”
As the local elections draw near, Jenrick’s remarks have added a new layer of intrigue and uncertainty to Britain’s political landscape. Whether his call to “unite the right” gains traction or further divides the opposition to Labour remains to be seen.
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