Robert Jenrick has hit back at Kemi Badenoch after the Tory leader slammed the “behaviour” of Reform MPs while speaking to GB News.
Also appearing on The People’s Channel, the Reform Treasury Spokesman said his former colleague was “obsessed” with him and branded her comments “farcical”.
Earlier today, Mrs Badenoch spoke to Political Editor Christopher Hope about the “high bar” she was now setting for Conservative candidates to meet.
Taking aim at two former Tories who switched allegiances to Reform, she said: “We don’t want the Suella Bravermans or the Robert Jenricks; it’s not just about policies, it’s about behaviour.
“People who are going to stand as MPs have to meet a high bar.
“I want your viewers to look at their Conservative MPs and think, ‘yeah, that’s a great person I’m really proud represents me.’”
She also hit out at Reform leader Nigel Farage, highlighting intense public scrutiny over donations he had received.
“We need higher standards in politics,” Mrs Badenoch insisted.
Don’t worry, I won’t be standing for the Conservative Party,” Mr Jenrick laughed as he responded to the remarks.
“I think I made that clear a long time ago when I left and went to Reform.”
Sighing, the Reform MP said: “This is a farce, isn’t it? Let’s be honest.”
“I don’t like to get into all this personality stuff because Kemi is sometimes a bit obsessed with me.”
Mr Jenrick then launched his own attack on the current Conservative Shadow Cabinet.
“Look who is around her Shadow Cabinet table. You’ve got Priti Patel, who was the Home Secretary who designed the disastrous immigration system.
“You’ve got Mel Stride, who was the Work and Pensions Secretary when the benefits bill ballooned.
“I could go on and name many other people. So let’s not deflect to some has-beens who were members of Parliament and lost at the last election.”
The Reform Treasury spokesman issued a direct message to the Tory leader.
“Get your own house in order, Kemi, by getting rid of the very people who you have chosen to put around the top table of the Conservative Party, who do not believe in the very things you profess to stand for.”
He reiterated: “I’m not going to get into a big argument with Kemi, that’s all. Kind of water under the bridge.
“What really matters is which party is most trusted to actually fix the problems facing this country.
“Do I trust the Conservative Party? By which I don’t mean the old guard who’ve lost their seats, but the very people who are there today to leave the chair? No, of course I don’t, because most of them don’t believe in that.
“Kemi herself, remember, just two years ago, stood for the leadership on a platform that leaving the ECHR was unnecessary. She said she didn’t believe it.
“She was elected primarily by the left of the party, the Tory party establishment.
“Come back to me when she’s chucked those people out of the Tory party, and I’ll believe her a bit more,” Mr Jenrick slammed.
