Jenrick puts the Lib Dems on notice
To the PopCons, who have just interviewed onetime Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick. Popular Conservatism director Mark Littlewood sat down with the MP for Newark for a wide-ranging conversation touching on topics including the rise of Reform and tough justice. But Mr S was rather interested in what the shadow justice secretary had to say about the clear blue water separating his lot from his political opponents – especially those to his left. Issuing a warning, Jenrick insisted that the Tories must not beat around the bush for what they stand for – even if that means pushing more liberal members out.
He told Littlewood:
I've always said that a political party can be a broad church, but it's got to have a common creed. It's got to have some kind of religion at the heart of it, and the Tory Party hasn't had that in recent years. It has had two diverse opinions which has meant that you've left the public completely confused. What does this thing actually stand for? And there's been far too many times I've been on the doorstep and people have said: 'I don't know the difference between you and the Lib Dems and the Labour Party enough.'
The Tory party has got to be very clear what it stands for, and with the greatest respect, that means that there might be some people who conclude this isn't the right party for them. And I mean no disrespect to those individuals, just the party's got to believe in something. It's got to be clear what it stands for. So the public aren't left confused.
It may be the first time someone as senior as Jenrick has effectively told Lib Dems using the Conservative banner out of convenience to, er, go away…
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