Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Kate Devlin and David Maddox

Will Robert Jenrick’s defection to Reform convince wavering Tories to jump ship?

Kemi Badenoch was sipping a cocktail at the Johnnie Walker experience in Edinburgh on Thursday afternoon, allowing herself to enjoy a rare victory after what has been a tumultuous start to her leadership of the Conservative Party.

She had finally rid the Tories of one Robert Jenrick MP, whom she had defeated in a leadership race at the end of 2024 but who nevertheless remained her biggest rival for the top job.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.