Jacob Rees-Mogg has suggested that Robert Jenrick should 'unite the right' if he wins the Conservative Party leadership race. Speaking on GB News, Rees-Mogg hinted at a potential collaboration with Nigel Farage's Reform UK party.
"I think you need to reunite the right," Rees-Mogg stated, drawing comparisons to Labour and Liberal Democrat tactics in previous elections.
He added, "Going to office with Nigel would be a much preferable option to doing it with the Lib Dems, surely for any Conservative."
Jacob, who has been asked to be party chairman if Jenrick wins, emphasised the importance of reclaiming votes lost to Reform UK in recent elections.
Jenrick has positioned himself as the candidate most likely to counter the threat posed by Reform UK. Speaking at a local Tory association event in Essex, he emphasised the need to tackle the populist party before the next General Election.
Jacob Rees-Mogg discussed a potential Farage merger
GB NEWS / PA
"If we don't get this right in the coming months there will be no Conservative Party," Jenrick warned, highlighting the risk of Reform UK splitting votes in local elections.
To thwart Reform UK's rise, Jenrick proposed taking firm stances on immigration and defence, early candidate selection, increased fundraising, and boosting social media presence.
Jacob Rees-Mogg joined Martin Daubney on GB News
GB NEWS
However, a recent Electoral Calculus poll suggests Reform UK could make significant gains regardless of the Tory leadership outcome, potentially increasing their MPs from five to 24 or 25.
Jenrick has vowed to "take oxygen away" from Nigel Farage by pledging to withdraw the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). This stance has earned him the endorsement of the Popular Conservatives (PopCon), a grassroots Tory faction.
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Mark Littlewood, PopCon's director, praised Jenrick's "determination" to leave the ECHR and his ability to win over Reform UK supporters.
"He has shown he is willing to make bold decisions — particularly highlighted by his determination to leave the ECHR," Littlewood stated.
Robert Jenrick has promised Jacob Rees-Mogg the role of party chairman if he wins
GB NEWSJenrick's commitment to leaving the ECHR sets him apart from rival Kemi Badenoch, who has taken a more cautious approach to the issue.
The Electoral Calculus poll also compared potential electoral outcomes under Jenrick versus Badenoch leadership. Under Jenrick, the Conservatives could increase their seats from 121 to 178, with Labour falling from 412 to 311.
Badenoch's leadership might see the Tories rise to 151 seats, with Labour dropping to 332.
Jenrick has expressed determination to challenge Labour, stating in Essex: "I'm not prepared to put this country through a generation of Labour rule."
He added, "Let's get on and consign Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner, David Lammy, Ed Miliband, to a one-term Labour Government."
