BREAKING: Robert Jenrick Has Fired The Starting Gun on his Leadership Campaign.
Bit of an awkward way to kick off the marathon, that.
That the Shadow Justice Secretary has his eyes on Kemi Badenoch’s job is hardly a secret. As the actual Tory party leader founders, it’s the man she narrowly defeated back in October who has been making the political weather. As he criss-crosses the country, glad-handing potential supporters and releasing slick videos about everything from two-tier justice to Birmingham’s rubbish problems, Jenrick already looks every bit the real Leader of the Opposition.
The only question despairing Tory MPs and activists are asking is how long Badenoch will last.
Well, now we know that Jenrick is getting serious about replacing her. Around 8am this morning, he created a new WhatsApp group cryptically entitled “V” (for victory?). Unfortunately, he appears to have included literally ALL of his contacts. From former prime ministers David Cameron and Liz Truss to TV celebrity Piers Morgan, Rishi Sunak’s wife and property magnate and Reform Party Treasurer Nick Candy, the ambitious Jenrick evidently likes a broad church.
For a brief period, several hundred mobile numbers of high-profile political figures, journalists and editors were shared with all 256 initial members of the group.
I can’t tell you the group’s original stated mission, because one thing Jenrick did do was set “Disappearing messages.” By the time I spotted the new “V” group on my WhatsApp, his opener had gone.
Was it a charity fundraiser? Some forum for debating how to combat wokery?
Only the most eagle-eyed in the group will have seen his original message.
Truly, I think we all know what’s really going on here. Indeed, within seconds, enthusiastic participants in the discussion were posting their encouragement…..
“So so pleased common sense won through….well done Robert for championing straight forward logic….RJ for PM,” was how one put it.
Others were simply surprised to find themselves included. Democratic Unionist Ian Paisley junior, and Reform Mayoral Candidate Andrea Jenkyns, may have been among those taken aback to find themselves inside Jenrick’s outsized wigwam of trust.
“Morning Robert thank you for including me,” was Paisley’s bemused response.
Very quickly, Jenrick realised his mistake. Within minutes of creating the group, he was frantically removing dozens of potential political rivals, political journalists and editors.
I could see him desperately working his way down the alphabet, deleting confidential contact details. Luckily for me, it takes a while to get to O…….
For what it’s worth, Robert, insofar as I can support any Tory, which is not very far at all, I’m fully behind your campaign. I don’t think I will ever forgive your party for its colossal betrayals - but I’m almost willing to make a personal exception for you. As de facto Leader of the Opposition, you’re doing a fine job indeed.
Just be grateful you didn’t also accidentally copy in Kemi….
UPDATE: A sheepish Jenrick messages to say the V group is all about the London Marathon. Apparently, he was trying to drum up donations to his chosen charity. Hmmmm….As every party leadership hopeful knows, the path to victory is always a marathon, not a sprint….