From a ‘great influence’ to ‘we never see him’: Newark residents have their say on MP Robert Jenrick’s bid for Conservative leadership

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Robert Jenrick Newark MP at election count

Newark MP Robert Jenrick.

By Henry Green

Newark residents are split over whether they support their Conservative MP Robert Jenrick’s surging bid for the party leadership.

A series of Labour victories in Nottinghamshire in the July 2024 General Election saw  Newark left as the only Conservative seat in the county.

Mr Jenrick was the man to survive as the lone local Tory MP in Labour’s new red sea, winning with a majority of just over 3,500, albeit down 23 per cent on the last election.

He later announced a Conservative Party leadership bid after the resignation of Rishi Sunak.

The Wolverhampton-born politician is now in the final four candidates ahead of a decision being made by party members on October 31. The result will be announced on November 2.

This week his campaign went up a gear at the Conservative Party conference in Brimingham, when he addressed members alongside fellow leadership contenders Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat.

Former immigration minister Mr Jenrick has held the Newark seat since 2014 and has run his leadership campaign on a platform of cutting illegal immigration and investing in home building and practical skills for the jobs market.

Whatever the result on October 31, he will remain as Newark’s Member of Parliament, albeit with a much higher profile off the back of the campaign. He is currently the bookmakers’ favourite to win the leadership vote.

Views on his surge for the Tory top seat are mixed among constituents.

Lucy Barker has praised Robert Jenrick and his work with charity.
Lucy Barker has praised Robert Jenrick and his work with the charity she works for.

Newark resident Lucy Barker works for Women’s Aid, a charity working towards ending domestic abuse against women and children.

Lucy praised Jenrick’s support of the charity: “He’s been a great influence for us, he’s been so helpful. He managed to help us secure some more funding,” she added.

“His views and his policies are everything that I completely agree with.”

Charlotte Blundell says she doesn't support Robert Jenrick.
Charlotte Blundell says she doesn’t support Robert Jenrick.

Others were more hesitant to back the bid.

Charlotte Blundell said: “Personally I feel as though he [Jenrick] only visits Newark when there is an upcoming election on and then we never see him any other time.

“I don’t agree with what he’s trying to do and I don’t think he’s for the people of Newark,” she added.

Terence Baxter says Jenrick's ways are 'slightly right'.
Terence Baxter says Jenrick’s ways are ‘slightly right’.

Terence Baxter, 76, currently supports Reform UK but says that Mr Jenrick is “good for Newark”.

“I think his views now are coming across to the way I’m thinking and he’s always been very good at wanting to do his own thing when it comes to immigration which I’m a full supporter of,” Mr Baxter said.

“He’s always put the Newark people first,” he added.

Callum Markhill a coffee shop worker.
Callum Markhill a coffee shop worker who’s lived in Newark for seven months.

Callum Markill moved to Newark seven months ago and has since been working in a coffee shop.

Callum said: “It would be quite alarming if he [Jenrick] was in charge.”

He added: “Where I personally stand, I am all for immigration and making the country more diverse.”

The four candidates will go down to two in a vote by Tory MPs next week.

Conservative members will then have the final word in an online vote, with the result announced two days later on November 2.

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