Conservatives in county hurt after 'role model' makes switch to Reform

CONSERVATIVE councillors and close allies of Robert Jenrick say they are hurt and saddened by his defection to Reform UK.

- By JOE LOCKER Local Democracy Reporter

The Tories confirmed on Thursday that Mr Jenrick had been sacked from his roles as shadow justice secretary and shadow lord chancellor by the party's leader Kemi Badenoch.

The Newark MP's party membership was also suspended and the whip removed from him in Parliament, after Ms Badenoch had been “presented with clear, irrefutable evidence” he was plotting a defection.

Within hours of his sacking, Mr Jenrick announced he had joined Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

The news has left Mr Jenrick’s closest Conservative allies - and those who consider him a friend - wounded.

Councillor Sam Smith is the leader of Nottinghamshire County Council ’s Conservative opposition group, and represents Newark East on the authority.

“I'm gutted,” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

“I've lost my role model and someone I've invested so much work and time into supporting.