Robert Jenrick attacks Badenoch ‘drama’ and denies reaching Tory leadership ballot by mistake – latest news

Robert Jenrick has rejected suggestions that Tory MPs mistakenly backed him for the final two in the leadership race, following speculation about internal “horse trading”.

Speaking after a speech today, he was asked whether he could have made it to the final by mistake.

The former immigration minister acknowledged that there is always some manoeuvring in such contests but was confident that MPs ultimately chose him based on his leadership credentials.

In response to a question on his strengths compared to frontrunner Kemi Badenoch, Mr Jenrick emphasised his focus on key voter concerns such as the NHS, immigration, and the economy, suggesting his campaign’s broader appeal compared to his rival’s.

“I believe my colleagues voted for the candidates best placed to lead the party forward,” he said, adding that he was “immensely grateful” for the trust.

So cautious and moderate was former immigration minister Robert Jenrick when he entered the Commons that he was nicknamed “Robert Generic”.

He ticked every box of the Conservative cliche. A history graduate from Cambridge and a qualified solicitor, he joined parliament as the MP for Newark in 2014.

He voted to remain in the EU, and backed Theresa May’s Brexit deal three times.

He has served as a minister, in multiple departments, under every prime minister since 2017. It is no surprise that he has long been considered a moderate within the party.

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Nato’s secretary general has claimed that a “one weapon system will not change the course” of the Ukraine-Russia war.

Mark Rutte responded to questions about president Zelensky’s requests for long-range missile use against Russia.

He highlighted the broader coalition effort, claiming: “The UK is providing £3 billion a year in military aid, alongside training. The entire alliance is contributing.”

Mr Rutte added: “Let’s not focus on one system, one weapon system, it will not be one weapon system which will make the change.

“So I understand what Zelensky is asking, but at the same time, he also agrees that there is a broader issue to be debated to make sure that they prevail.”

Downing Street has avoided directly addressing Ukraine’s request to use Storm Shadow missiles against targets in Russia, instead claiming that “no war has ever been won by a single weapon”.

While the UK is supportive of Ukraine’s use of Western missiles, the US has expressed concerns about potential escalation.

During a press briefing, the prime minister’s spokesman stressed the importance of comprehensive support.

He added: “The discussions that the UK, Ukraine and international partners are having are about all the range of support that we can provide Ukraine heading into the crucial winter months ahead.”

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte clarified that Ukraine is legally entitled to use Western-supplied long-range missiles against targets in Russia.

Speaking at Downing Street, he said: “Legally that is possible because legally Ukraine is allowed to use its weapons, if they can hit targets in Russia, if these targets present a threat to Ukraine.

“But whether individual allies do, that’s in the end, [is] always up to individual allies. Of course we discussed this. I was last week in Kyiv. We discussed it today, but in the end, it is up to the individual allies.”

Bridget Phillipson has been urged to take immediate action to tackle the use of smartphones by children in schools by a group of educators “deeply concerned” about their impact.

In an open letter to the education secretary, 30 education leaders said there is clear evidence that “children at smartphone-free schools do better”, urging her to put in place effective restrictions on their use.

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Robert Jenrick has insisted his team did not trade any votes during yesterday’s shocking vote that saw James Cleverly out of the race,

He said that the campaign team worked “relentlessly” to gather the most votes.

“And I think you will have seen in the way that I have conducted myself over the summer that we have worked hard,” he added.

Reports suggested a strategic voting may have played a role in his exit.

Shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake claimed that there were unexpected voting patterns leading to Mr Cleverly downfall during Wednesday’s MP ballot, where he garnered only 37 votes.

Robert Jenrick is now taking questions from the press.

He has been asked whether he would end mass migration even if it damaged economic growth.

The Tory leadership wannabe said: “I think that is a false choice. As I have set out consistently I don’t believe the age of mass migration has made any of us richer.

“In 25 years since Tony Blair became prime minister, 5.9 million people net have come into our country and yet this has been a era marked by low economic growth and poor productivity growth.”

Mr Jenrick added that he plans to “end mass migration and fire up our economy”.

Robert Jenrick has called for the Conservatives to “pick ourselves back up” after the party’s worst general election defeat on record. 

“To do anything else means letting down the country,” the Tory leadership hopeful said. 

He has throwing thinly-veiled criticisms at rival Kemi Badenoch, suggesting she would focus on Twitter spats and unserious issues, while he would be focused on the public’s priorities.

Mr Jenrick said: “That’s how we regain the public’s trust. So my plan, grow the economy, reform our public services like the NHS, get migration done by capping the numbers and leaving the ECHR a serious plan, not needless drama.

“Let’s unite around the serious answers to the challenges our country faces, with courage, with competence, with conviction, to make the conservative case for change again.

“That’s how we win again, not in 15 years time, not in 10 years, but that is how we win the next general election.”