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Laura Kuenssberg: Jenrick's Move Is Massive - but Could It Cause a Bigger Fight on the Right?

On Thursday, Newark MP Robert Jenrick defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK at a Westminster press conference alongside Nigel Farage.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch announced she had sacked and suspended Robert Jenrick, citing `irrefutable evidence` he plotted to defect after meeting Reform and dining with Nigel Farage last month.
The move boosts Reform to eight MPs, making Robert Jenrick the highest-profile Tory defector as former Shadow Justice Secretary and 2024 Conservative leadership contest runner-up.
Local residents and Newark Conservatives said they felt `absolutely betrayed` and called for a by-election, while Tory leadership said the sacking strengthened Kemi Badenoch's position and wrong-footed Nigel Farage.
With polls showing Reform ahead in recent weeks, Reform UK hailed Jenrick's arrival as a turning point while Nigel Farage said it would help realign the centre right.

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Reform 'fight like rats in a sack': How Jenrick's defection could unravel

The defection of Robert Jenrick to Reform UK risks setting off a future power struggle with Nigel Farage, former allies of the party leader have warned. The ex-Conservative minister has insisted he is now dedicated to helping Farage become prime minister after jumping ship to the right-wing populists, despite having previously clashed with his new boss. But multiple figures who have previously worked with Farage told The i Paper that he has stru…

5 days ago·London, United Kingdom

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