The political landscape in Westminster has been rocked by the defection of former Conservative minister Robert Jenrick to Nigel Farage's Reform UK. This move marks the latest twist in the career of an ambitious politician whose journey from a David Cameron-supporting Remainer to an anti-immigration rightwinger has long been viewed with scepticism by his peers.
From 'Robert the Generic' to Farage's ally
For years, Jenrick's political transformation failed to convince many observers, most notably Reform UK leader Nigel Farage himself. As recently as last year, Farage branded him a "fraud", dubbing him "Robert the Generic, Robert the Remainer and Robert the I Don't Stand Particularly For Anything At all". Farage questioned whether Jenrick was driven by conviction or merely by a desire for "rank, position and all that comes with that".
This scepticism was echoed by some of Jenrick's former Tory colleagues. One claimed he "does not have a truly rightwing bone in his body" and simply follows the political wind to serve his career. Columnist and former Tory MP Matthew Parris offered a particularly cutting assessment, stating: "If you were to remove ambition from the core of Robert Jenrick, he would collapse like a boneless chicken."
A journey of 'radicalisation' and ruthless reputation
Jenrick, however, insists his shift is genuine, stemming from what he describes as a process of radicalisation during his time as a Home Office minister. Initially a supporter of the Remain campaign, his frustration grew over the Conservative Party's failure to deliver on promises to reduce migration while serving under Suella Braverman.
It was during this period that he ordered the painting over of children's murals, including images of Mickey Mouse, at an asylum centre to make it appear less welcoming. He also cultivated a reputation for ruthlessness, with advisers known for practising political "dark arts" to advance his aims.
His resignation as immigration minister in late 2023 was a significant blow to then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Jenrick quit, declaring the flagship Rwanda deportation scheme "does not go far enough". In the subsequent months, his allies were believed to be behind a coordinated series of attacks, known in Westminster as a "grid of shit", designed to destabilise Sunak's leadership.
Leadership bids, viral videos, and a final break
Following the Conservative election defeat, Jenrick positioned himself as a frontrunner for the party leadership, undergoing a physical makeover and amplifying his presence through direct-to-camera "walk and talk" social media videos. However, suspicions about his loyalty and motives seemingly damaged his appeal to the Tory membership, who overwhelmingly backed his rival, Kemi Badenoch.
Although brought into Badenoch's shadow cabinet as shadow justice secretary, Jenrick frequently strayed beyond his brief. He garnered attention—and criticism—for viral videos on issues like tool theft and for controversial statements, including suggesting protesters who shout "Allahu Akbar" should be arrested. He also faced backlash for remarking he "didn't see another white face" in a part of Birmingham.
His departure from the party line became increasingly pronounced as he flirted with the idea of closer ties with Reform UK, privately suggesting he was further to the right on many issues than Farage. This led Conservative colleagues to dub him "Nigel's chancellor".
Farage has now rewritten his previous criticism, stating he knew Jenrick could be trusted after his 2023 cabinet resignation. "There is no question that Jenrick and I are on exactly the same page today," Farage said, expressing a willingness to forgive former Tories. In his defection speech, Jenrick took 23 minutes to mention Farage or Reform, first lambasting his former Tory colleagues' incompetence, before pledging loyalty: "I am convinced Nigel and Reform will deliver the real change we need."
Some Tory figures warn Farage to be wary of Jenrick's ambition and past scandals, including being sacked as housing secretary by Boris Johnson after unlawfully approving a Tory donor's planning application. Yet, as one former right-wing Tory adviser noted, Farage's desire for defections may override such concerns, comparing his appetite to "a junkie for his fix". Jenrick's dramatic defection closes one chapter and opens another in the volatile story of British right-wing politics.
