Both promise to save Britain from Labour

KEMI Badenoch and Robert Jenrick have each vowed to rescue Britain from Labour's grip following their explosive split.

- BY STEPH SPYRO Deputy Political Editor and MARTYN BROWN Political Editor

In duelling articles for the Express, both promised to fight for the UK's future after one of Westminster's most dramatic days. Turmoil erupted on Thursday when Shadow Cabinet minister Mr Jenrick defected to Reform UK, hours after Mrs Badenoch sacked him live on social media.

The leader of the Tories writes today: "Conservatives know Britain cannot be fixed with slogans or grievance politics. It will be fixed with credible, conservative solutions.

"I will not talk this country down when I know how great it can be. I will tell the truth about what is broken - and then I will fix it.

"Britain has faced harder moments than this and emerged stronger every time.

"Labour are making a terrible mess of the country but, as we have done throughout history, I am confident the Conservative Party will be ready to clean up that mess. We have the team, the plans and the experience to ensure we can get Britain working again."

Mr Jenrick insisted his defection to Nigel Farage was "uniting the Right" as he said he had put the country before his allegiance to the Tories. The former immigration minister said: "My decision to defect to Reform was difficult, but it was undoubtedly the right one. I fought to get the Conservative Party to change, first as a leadership candidate and then from within the Shadow Cabinet.

Denial