'Where does this leave us Conservative supporters?

ROBERT Jenrick is facing calls to quit Parliament and allow a by-election in the East Midlands seat he has represented for 12 years.

- BY PAUL JEEVES in Newark and JONATHAN WALKER

Voters in Newark told this newspaper they want the chance to decide for themselves whether Mr Jenrick should continue to represent them after his defection to Reform UK.

Retired NHS nurse Janice Burton, 79, complained: “We don’t know where we stand now.

“I feel let down. I voted for him as a Conservative and there was no pre-warning that he would do this.

“Where does this leave us Conservative supporters?

“He has put himself before the people of Newark.”

Mr Jenrick has been MP for the Nottinghamshire seat, which includes the market towns of Southwell and Newark-on-Trent, since a 2014 by-election.

But his election wins were under the Tory banner, leaving locals bemused to discover they are now represented by a Reform MP.

Opinion is divided, but many constituents want Mr Jenrick to resign his seat so a fresh vote can be held.

It would allow the politician to try his luck standing for Reform, while the Conservatives could offer a new candidate of their own and let the public decide.

Agricultural consultant Neil Morton, 83, said: “I could not care less about him as he has put himself first. I traditionally voted Conservative but I didn’t vote in the last election.

“However, in principle, he should face a by-election so people get the opportunity to choose whether they want a Reform candidate or not.”

Nottingham University student Abigail, 20, also urged Mr Jenrick to face the electorate.

She said: “He can get lost as far as I’m concerned.