Nigel Farage has addressed speculation about Robert Jenrick potentially defecting to Reform UK, saying he would welcome the former Conservative leadership contender under certain conditions.
The Reform UK leader indicated he would be open to Jenrick joining his party, but only if he “didn’t bring Tory Party infighting with him”.
The comments come amid ongoing tensions within the Conservative Party following their electoral defeat last year.
Nigel comments followed a joke from Labour commentator Paul Richards about Reform’s recent internal disputes, after MP Rupert Lowe criticised the party leader.
Nigel Farage said he would welcome Robert Jenrick under certain conditions
PA / GB NEWS
“I would welcome anybody that didn’t bring Tory infighting with them – all parties have it, so don’t encourage more!” Nigel said.
The Reform leader made it clear he wants to avoid additional internal squabbles within his own party.
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Reform UK’s Rupert Lowe has said it is ‘too early to know’ whether Nigel Farage will be a good Prime MinisterPAHis remarks suggest a cautious approach to potential defectors from the Conservative ranks.
In a lighthearted moment, Farage revealed he had already joked with Jenrick about a potential defection.
“I did actually take the mickey out of Jenrick. I told him in one of the division lobbies that I could give him coaching if he wants to be me,” Farage said.
The exchange suggests the two politicians have maintained some level of communication despite their different party affiliations.
The shadow minister has often aligned with Reform UK’s position on issues
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Nigel’s offer of “coaching” hints at his perception that Jenrick may be attempting to adopt political positions similar to his own.
Discussing Jenrick’s political positioning, Nigel offered a stark assessment of the former immigration minister’s stance within the Conservative Party.
“I am absolutely convinced about what Jenrick says in public is what most Conservative backbenchers would disagree with,” he stated.
The Reform leader’s comments indicate he sees Jenrick as potentially isolated within his own party, possibly explaining speculation about a potential defection.
Nigel concluded his assessment with a pointed observation about the current makeup of the Conservative parliamentary party.
“The one nation, Lib Dem element are very much in the majority of the parliamentary Conservative Party,” he said.
This characterisation frames the Conservatives as dominated by more centrist or liberal elements.