Robert Jenrick's Reform defection torn apart by Newark Tory Chair: 'It's a JOKE!'

On 15 January 2026, the Newark Conservative Association’s chair condemned former minister Robert Jenrick’s move to Reform UK, calling the defection “a joke”. The criticism came amid Jenrick’s announcement that he was leaving the Conservative Party to join the newly formed populist party, which he said would offer a stronger challenge to “the back‑boneless” Tories and Labour. The chair, whose name is R Smith, said the defection was “disappointing” and that the new party would “fail to fix broken Britain”. Jenrick’s move to Reform sparked debate across the UK, with commentators questioning whether the party’s platform can gain traction with voters in both the Midlands and London.