"The biggest difference between Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch that I see is not ideological. Both share the same broad outlook for conservatism. But only Robert Jenrick has outlined what he intends to do and how he intends to do it in order to take the fight to our opponents. And as Leader of the Opposition, that is what we need".
Conservative Home: 17th October 2024: PopCon's Annunziata Rees-Mogg explains why, on balance, Robert is the right choice for Conservative leader.
"...We are delighted that Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick, the final two contenders being put to a membership vote are not only both high quality candidates, but that... Tory MPs have put through our PopCon panelists’ top two leadership preferences...
We want the next Conservative leader to be the person best placed to win an election and reform our country to be the free, prosperous, secure nation we love...
Kemi Badenoch is a confident performer... and has been the bookies’ favourite since the campaigns began. Robert Jenrick was the outsider... but has increasingly impressed both his colleagues and the membership...
In answer to the issue that frequently tops British voters’ (of all parties and none) concerns, immigration, Robert Jenrick was undoubtedly first out of the blocks and maintains the strongest position calling to leave the ECHR and repeal the Human Rights Act... Kemi’s less concrete position is to be willing to look at the ECHR and “open” to leaving it...
Another key area for our supporters is the quangocracy, the power of arms-length bodies over our democratic processes...Robert has more clearly articulated that we need a Great Reform Act to unpick Labour’s web of laws that constrain democracy...Similarly, for Net Zero 2050...
One of the biggest issues... amongst Tory members is the abject failures of CCHQ... Kemi has said little more than “we need to fix CCHQ” whereas Robert has addressed the manifold problems... He has stated that if he is elected as the next leader...he would appoint... Jacob Rees-Mogg, as Party Chairman in order to drive through the (internal party) reforms we need...I know this is a challenge he would not shirk...
Robert Jenrick may be a convert to Conservative core principles, but he is a convert born of experience: and he is the rarest of rare beasts in politics – a minister who resigned on a point of principle... He is also on the record and can be held to account by us all..."