Wouldn’t be put any of these on your showreel, mate. Robert Jenrick was trotted out to various media platforms on Sunday to defend Reform on recent policy announcements, and stand by a few of his own recent campaigns. However, the Reform MP ended up facing a hat-trick of hot-seat horrors.
ALSO READ: Jitters for Jenrick? Reform lose TWO by-elections on Newark MP’s doorstep
A tough old Sunday morning for Robert Jenrick
It’s been a tough old year for Mr. Jenrick. Despite triumphantly crossing the floor to Reform from the Conservative Party, his time with the party has coincided with their dramatic dip in the polls. Recent surveys project he’ll actually lose his seat in Newark to the Tories, unless a reversal in fortunes takes place.
The irony would not be lost on the British electorate. In fact, over the past few days, two council by-elections highlighted the peril Jenrick and his fellow teal rosettes may face at the ballot box going forward – as voters in Southwell and Dover Beck both snubbed Reform in favour of the Tories.
What the former cabinet member needed, then, was a strong showing on his Sunday morning media rounds. Best foot forward, stiff upper lip, all that jazz. A fearless performance on Sky News, LBC, and even the old faithful at GB News would surely cure what ails him. Alas, it couldn’t have gone much worse.
Robert Jenrick butts heads with major broadcasters
We’ll start with his appearance on Sky News. The free market capitalist has copped a bit of heat this week, after he urged the state to intervene to prevent the collapse of Poundland. Jenrick asserted that sales had since risen by 6% – when, actually, they had actually dropped 12%. The on-air fact check was superb…
Previous support on Donald Trump raised by LBC
Okay, maybe not an ideal topic for the experienced politician. But still, new broadcaster, new set of questions, time to shine… surely? Well, not exactly. Robert Jenrick was tripped up by questions about his previous support for Donald Trump, after saying in August 2024 he would vote for the Republican candidate.
Though he attempted to wriggle away from the questioning, his insistence that he ‘did not endorse’ President Trump received significant pushback from the host. Jenrick has played his comments down in the past, arguing that it is ‘natural’ for Conservatives to favour Republicans. Still, it didn’t land well.
Even GB News gave him a hard time
Well, third-time lucky. With GB News, a softball interview was all but guaranteed. In the spirit of pantomime season… oh no it wasn’t.
Jenrick ended up losing his cool with presenter Camilla Tominey, snapping and asking her if she’d had any ‘meaningful questions’. This, despite earlier being quizzed about the economy and the budget. His combative approach somewhat soured the mood, rounding off a difficult morning for the Newark MP.