Audience delivers verdict as Tory leadership hopeful's odds shorten after GB News grilling

Lib Dem MP issues Tories warning over ECHR 'obsession'

'The danger for the Conservatives in this, is they're becoming obsessed with the argument that divides them. They need to look at what the country is saying.'

Christine Jardine weighs in on Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick's performances this evening. pic.twitter.com/DhDZtscoad

— GB News (@GBNEWS) October 17, 2024

Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine has claimed the Tory Party's "obsession" with the European Convention on Human Rights could prove damaging to the Conservatives even after November 2.

In her appearance on GB News, Jardine said: "The danger for the Conservatives in this, is they're becoming obsessed with the argument that divides them.

"They need to look at what the country is saying."

Labour MP swats away suggestion Badenoch or Jenrick threaten Starmer

'Neither of those candidates recognise the reasons the Tories lost the last election so comprehensively.'

Lucy Rigby MP says Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch will not cause Keir Starmer a headache as leader of the opposition.

🔓 Become a GB News Member: https://t.co/mNsRsGCG3N pic.twitter.com/AW2wlTd2sz

— GB News (@GBNEWS) October 17, 2024

Labour MP Lucy Rigby has swatted away any suggestion that Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will pose a threat to Sir Keir Starmer.

Rigby, who snatched Northampton North from the Tories on July 4, said: "Neither of those candidates recognise the reasons the Tories lost the last election so comprehensively."

'I cut through c**p' on trans row after others 'turned eyes away' on Tavistock scandal

Ex-Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has claimed she "cut through the c**p" during a heated row about trans rights.

Speaking in her grilling on GB News' Decision Time: The Race to Lead, Badenoch said: “I cut through the c**p.

"The fact is there were too many other people who turned their eyes away when those things were happening.

"That’s how we ended up with the grooming scandal, that’s how we ended up with the teacher in Batley who is still in hiding... I look after those people who don’t have a voice."

Badenoch became a leading contender to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader after engaging in a series of spats, including on trans issues.

She locked horns with ex-Doctor Who star David Tennant over her position at the start of the 2024 Tory leadership race.

Badenoch rejects calls to embrace Farage - 'I'm not letting him in!'

Kemi Badenoch has yet again rejected calls for the Tory Party to embrace Nigel Farage.

Speaking at the end of her 45-minute grilling on GB News, the Shadow Housing Secretary said: “We are a broad church but if somebody says that they want to burn your church down, you don’t let them in.

“Nigel Farage has said he wants to destroy the Conservative Party.

"He is somebody who I have a lot of respect for, but if I wouldn’t let Keir Starmer or Ed Davey into the Conservative Party, I’m not letting Nigel Farage into the Conservative Party.”

Badenoch accuses reparations campaigners of 'scam arguments'

'These arguments are a scam, don't fall for it.'

Kemi Badenoch on the nations using guilt as an argument to try and claim reparations from Britain after the slave trade. pic.twitter.com/wWPRIQS9cU

— GB News (@GBNEWS) October 17, 2024

Kemi Badenoch has accused those pushing for the UK to pay reparations for slavery of putting out "scam" arguments.

The ex-Equalities Minister said: "There are many countries now who want to use guilt to try and exploit the UK."

Badenoch added: "These arguments are a scam, don't fall for it."

Badenoch takes swipe at Jenrick-backing MP over parenting jibe

‘I might remind him it isn’t always women who have parental responsibilities. Men do too.’

Kemi Badenoch addresses Christopher Chope after the MP said she was ‘preoccupied with her own children’.

🔓 Become a GB News Member: https://t.co/mNsRsGC8ef pic.twitter.com/YRj8lnFKaU

— GB News (@GBNEWS) October 17, 2024

Kemi Badenoch has taken a swipe at Christopher Chope over his comments about her focus on parenting.

During her appearance on GB News tonight, Badenoch joked: “I might remind him it isn’t always women who have parental responsibilities, men do too.”

She added: “I think we should look again at taxation on a family basis.”

In a comment that sparked outrage, Chope had said: “Much as I like Kemi, I think she is preoccupied with her own children – quite understandably – but I think Robert [Jenrick]’s children are a bit older.

“I think it is important that whoever leads the opposition has an immense amount of time and energy.”

He added: “I understand from talking to colleagues that Kemi spends a lot of time with her family, which I don’t resent at all, but the consequence of it is you can’t spend all your time with your family at the same time as being leader of the opposition.”

Kemi Badenoch claims 'no one has done more on Brexit' before praising Nigel Farage

'When I voted leave I did so because I believed in the project of the UK'

Kemi Badenoch says she repealed thousands of EU laws and removed the ECJ's supremacy from UK law - asserting 'no one did more on Brexit than I did'. pic.twitter.com/pCysLtW4CY

— GB News (@GBNEWS) October 17, 2024

Kemi Badenoch has claimed "no one has done more than me for Brexit" before praising Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

Speaking in Westminster tonight, Badenoch said: “What about laws on product safety, I wasn’t going to get rid of those, was I?

"I was against a bonfire of regulations for the sake of it... I used to code, you don’t just delete everything and then hope for the best, that is not smart.

"I removed more than 2,000 regulations. No one has done more than me for Brexit."

Badenoch praised Farage soon after, lauding him for how he connects with the British public.

She said: “Nigel Farage speaks with clarity, he speaks with conviction, when people hear him speak they believe in what he is saying."

Badenoch claims ECHR protects 'gender-critical' women

Kemi Badenoch appeared to defend the European Convention on Human Rights by claiming it protects "gender-critical women".

She said: "The ECHR and the Human Rights Act are what I used to defend many gender-critical women who were worried about single-sex spaces... If we take it out we need to make sure we have something to replace it, not just a promise.”

Badenoch also suggested leaving the ECHR would have a detrimental impact on Northern Ireland.

The North West Essex MP's stance comes in stark contrast to Jenrick's anti-ECHR position.

Badenoch dismisses bullying allegations - 'I don't know how many of you believe The Guardian!'

Kemi Badenoch has dismissed bullying allegations reported in left-leaning newspapers.

The Guardian had reported claims of bullying earlier in the leadership race.

The North West Essex MP had rejected the allegations straight away.

Probed on the matter again, the Shadow Housing Secretary asked audience members: “I don’t know how many of you believe what you read in The Guardian.

"More seriously, I am somebody who defends other people from bullies.

"The people who are causing the problems are the ones I got out of the department.

"Of course they run to The Guardian to tell lies about me but I know that I can do what’s right, I know that I delivered.

Kemi Badenoch takes to stage - 'System needs renewal!'

Kemi Badenoch is up now and has urged members to back her vision of "renewal".

Badenoch insisted the Tory Party should no longer be in General Election mode.

She said: “This leadership contest is not a test of who can make the biggest promises. It is about character, it is about conviction.

"We are not in government anymore, it doesn’t matter what our policies are right now, we cannot deliver them. We are in opposition so let’s use that time wisely.

“Let’s not make the same mistake that the Labour Party made, making lots of promises, waiting around until the other side lose.

"You can see where that’s got them. What we need to do is come up with a plan based on our principles, Conservative principles, principles that unite everyone in this room and those watching at home.

Jenrick slams calls for UK to pay reparations - 'Waste of money!'

Robert Jenrick has slammed calls for the UK to pay reparations to Caribbean countries.

He said: “No, absolutely not. We abolished slavery 200 years ago.

"British sailors died on the high seas defending that principle and trying to encourage and enforce other countries to do the same... It would be a pointless waste of taxpayers’ money.”

ECHR rulings are 'ridiculous’, fumes Jenrick

Robert Jenrick has labelled ECHR rulings as "ridiculous" as he reiterated his support for leaving the convention.

He said: “Just a couple of weeks ago a British court found that a Ugandan man who had clubbed somebody to death in the back of an ambulance couldn’t be deported back home to Uganda because under the ECHR Uganda couldn’t guarantee his mental health.

"That is ridiculous but it’s also shameful. I’m not prepared to allow that to happen ever again.”

Jenrick issues Brexit warning - 'Starmer wants closer EU alignment!' 

‘It’s the opposite of what Keir Starmer is going to do… he wants more alignment with the EU. I think that is wrong.’

Robert Jenrick says Brexit has presented the UK with ‘fantastic opportunities’ that have not yet been seized. pic.twitter.com/LjEHZbtDWq

— GB News (@GBNEWS) October 17, 2024

Robert Jenrick has issued a warning to Brexiteers over Sir Keir Starmer's supposed plan to bring the UK closer to the EU when it comes to regulations.

He said: "It’s the opposite of what Keir Starmer is going to do… he wants more alignment with the EU. I think that is wrong."

'Nigel Farage is rattled!' Robert Jenrick takes swipe as he issues Tory Party warning over Reform UK

Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick has taken a major swipe at Nigel Farage after issuing a warning to his Conservative colleagues about the rise of Reform UK.

Jenrick claimed Farage was "rattled" by his political posturing on immigration and the European Convention on Human Rights.

He added: “He doesn’t want someone like me to lead this party, who actually has credibility on these issues... He knows that that will put him out of business. I want to retire him.”

However, Jenrick had also issued a warning about the potential threat posed by Reform UK.

During his opening remarks, Jenrick warned: "Immigration is not just another issue amongst many. It is the issue which explains why our party is where it is right now.

"It’s the reason that we lost four million of our people to Reform at the general election and millions more who decided to stay at home.

"You know who those people are whose trust we lost. And we’ve got to get them back. If we don’t get them back home to our party, we’ll never be in Government again.”

Jenrick labels pro-Palestine protests 'anti-British' as he urges police to enforce law 'without fear or favour'

Robert Jenrick has labelled pro-Palestine protesters "anti-British" as he urged police to enforce the law "without fear or favour".

He said: “No one should feel unsafe on the streets of our capital city. That is wrong.

"I’ve said on the streets of London in Whitehall on the day after October 7 when we held a vigil is that a Britain without its Jewish community is not Britain.

“Of course I believe in freedom of speech and the right to protest.

"There were people valorising Hamas and Hezbollah, there were people beaming a genocidal slogan onto Big Ben... The police have to enforce our existing laws without fear or favour.

"They must never allow worry about community relations to stop them tackling people who valorise terrorism.”

Jenrick slams Lammy over Chagos 'sell out' after vowing to slash foreign aid

'Who does David Lammy think he serves?'

Robert Jenrick slams Labour for handing the Chagos Islands to China ally Mauritius, suspecting the Foreign Secretary did so to 'feel better when he goes to a dinner party in North London'. pic.twitter.com/nXa5hPkjXF

— GB News (@GBNEWS) October 17, 2024

Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick has accused Foreign Secretary David Lammy of selling out the Chagos Islands in a blistering attack against the Labour Government.

Speaking during tonight's Decision Time: The Race to Lead, Jenrick said: “David Lammy and Keir Starmer have just handed sovereign British territory with a military base on it to an ally of China.

He added: “I would not sell out our Overseas Territories. I’ve been to Gibraltar, to the Falklands, I care about them. They would be safe in my hands.”

Jenrick had just voiced support for slashing foreign aid to fund increases in defence spending.

Jenrick opens GB News showdown with Reform UK warning - 'Immigration lost us votes!'

Robert Jenrick has opened tonight's GB News showdown as the race to replace Rishi Sunak hots up in Westminster.

The ex-Immigration Minister won the coin toss to deliver his pitch in tonight's two-hour special episode hosted by GB News' political editor Christopher Hope first.

During his opening remarks, Jenrick warned: "Immigration is not just another issue amongst many. It is the issue which explains why our party is where it is right now.

"It’s the reason that we lost four million of our people to Reform at the general election and millions more who decided to stay at home.

"You know who those people are whose trust we lost. And we’ve got to get them back. If we don’t get them back home to our party, we’ll never be in Government again.”

Ex-Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch will have her opportunity to make her pitch after Jenrick's 45-minute grilling.

Tonight's episode will be followed by a special edition analysis show hosted by Patrick Christys.

Tory members have until October 31 to cast their vote on who should become the next Leader of the Opposition.

The victor will be declared on November 2.

'I want to be PM!' Jenrick sets sights on No10 but admits he needs Reform UK support

Robert Jenrick has expressed his desire to become Prime Minister but conceded he needs support for Reform UK voters.

Speaking on GB News' Decision Time: The Race to Lead, the ex-Immigration Minister said: “I want to see it back in government and the way to do that is to make sure we get serious again, that we tackle the big issues facing this country, and I think that does begin with migration.”

Jenrick added: “If we don’t get back the millions of voters we’ve lost to Reform, we’re never going to be able to govern again... I want to be the next prime minister and that means the party has to get serious.”

'It's leave or remain!' Jenrick receives round of applause after vowing to quit ECHR as immigration becomes focus

'There's a clear choice. It's a cap or no cap and I'm for capping migration'

Robert Jenrick commits to leaving the ECHR and legally capping migration if elected Tory leader. pic.twitter.com/kptiX4vLHz

— GB News (@GBNEWS) October 17, 2024

Ex-Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick has opened his pitch on tonight's GB News show by voicing his support for reducing migration and leaving the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Newark MP said: "We can’t reform the European court. It requires the unanimous approval of 46 member states.

"But if we leave then we can write a British Bill of Rights and we can ensure that we bring the insanity to an end."

Jenrick also issued a major warning about the threat from Reform UK.

He said: "Immigration is not just another issue amongst many. It is the issue which explains why our party is where it is right now.

"It’s the reason that we lost four million of our people to Reform at the general election and millions more who decided to stay at home.

"You know who those people are whose trust we lost. And we’ve got to get them back. If we don’t get them back home to our party, we’ll never be in government again.”

Jenrick also voiced his anger with the amount of money spent on housing Channel crossing migrants.

Asked by Christopher Hope if he was happy with £8million being spent on housing asylum seekers during his stint as Immigration Minister, Jenrick said: "It's a disgrace, Chris. I felt as angry as anyone else about that."

Decision Time: The Race to Lead just minutes away

Christopher Hope has introduced Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch to tonight's Decision Time: The Race to Lead event on GB News.

A coin toss earlier ensured Jenrick would open proceedings, with Badenoch following after a 45-minute grilling.

The ex-Immigration Minister will open with a five-minute pitch to Tory members.

Jenrick supporter warns Badenoch turns off ex-Tory supporters

A Robert Jenrick-supporting Tory member has warned Kemi Badenoch could alientate ex-Conservatives who voted for the Liberal Democrats on July 4.

Speaking to GB News ahead of tonight's leadership showdown, Samuel said: "I really like Robert Jenrick. He's realistic about tax cuts - two per cent is achievable.

"I like his charisma and how he is less harsh than Kemi Badenoch.

"She might appeal to Reform voters but the rhetoric turns off Liberal Democrat voters."

'Strong woman leader!' Tory member praises Badenoch ahead of Decision Time: The Race to Lead

Tory member Sarah has given Kemi Badenoch a boost by praising the Shadow Housing Secretary ahead of tonight's special GB News show Decision Time: The Race to Lead.

Expressing her support for Badenoch, the 54-year-old told GB News: "I'm 99.9 per cent for Kemi.

"I'd like to see a strong woman leader. She's direct in what she's saying and we need that these days. We need the current Government held to account right now."

Jenrick wins coins toss and will go first in GB News' Decision Time: The Race to Lead

GB News' political editor has tossed a coin to decide whether Robert Jenrick or Kemi Badenoch will open tonight's special leadership event in Westminster.

Badenoch chose heads but the coin landed on tails.

Given the choice of opening or closing Decision Time: The Race to Lead, Jenrick elected to go first.

He will make a brief five minute pitch before facing a 45-minute grilling at 7pm.

Jenrick vows to ‘take oxygen away from Farage’ but damning poll shows Reform UK making major gains

Robert Jenrick has vowed to “take oxygen away” from Nigel Farage by pushing for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights after admitting the Tory Party faces extinction at the hands of Reform UK.

The Newark MP, who goes into the members’ vote narrowly behind ex-Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch among Conservative MPs, is determined to steal the populist party’s thunder by pledging to take the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Speaking at an event at a local Tory association in Essex on Sunday, Jenrick consistently raised the threat posed by Reform UK and the importance of tackling the populist party before the next General Election.

In a recording shared with GB News, Jenrick claimed Tory support for withdrawing from the ECHR would stifle support for Reform UK.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE FULL STORY

Labour staffers flood US to campaign for Harris just weeks after Starmer met Trump

Labour Party staff have jetted off to US swing states to campaign for Kamala Harris just weeks after Sir Keir Starmer met with Donald Trump in New York.

Around 100 former and current Labour employees answered calls to shore up support for the Vice President as Americans prepare to head to the polls on November 5.

Confirmation of a Labour campaign push raises doubts about the Prime Minister’s previously neutral stance on the 2024 US Presidential Election.

In a post calling for more volunteers, a senior Labour Party figure said: “I have nearly 100 Labour Party staff (current and former) going to the US in the next few weeks heading to North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Virginia."

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE FULL STORY

Jenrick distances self from Chope after 'preoccupied' claims

Robert Jenrick has distanced himself from Sir Christopher Chope after his "shocking" comments on ITV.

Speaking on ITV, Chope said: "Much as I like Kemi, I think she's preoccupied with her own children, quite understandably.

"Robert [Jenrick]'s children are a bit older - and I think that it's important that the Leader of the Opposition has an enormous amount of time and energy."

When pushed on his comments, Chope clarified: "Kemi spends a lot of time with her family - which I don't resent at all. You can't spend all your time with your family while being Leader of the Opposition."

He was then told: "Many women will be shocked by those comments... There should be no barrier to women standing in public life."

And now, a Jenrick campaign source has hit back, saying: "Rob doesn't agree with this. He's raising three young daughters himself."

DECISION TIME: THE RACE TO LEAD WILL AIR ON GB NEWS TONIGHT AT 7PM - READ MORE HERE

Keir Starmer would LOSE Labour majority if Jenrick were Tory leader, shock poll reveals

Labour would lose its Parliamentary majority if a snap election was called against a Robert Jenrick-led Conservative Party, a shock new poll has said.

Jenrick would win 50 extra seats if he was leader of the Tories - compared with 30 seats which would be gained if Kemi Badenoch was at the wheel of the party, according to the poll of nearly 6,300 people by Electoral Calculus.

That would leave a hung Parliament - compared to a tiny Labour majority of 14 seats under Badenoch's potential Tories.

Further Conservative membership surveys still have Badenoch out in front - but polls are narrowing, having slid from 59-41 in her favour compared to just 52-48.

But heavyweight pollster Sir John Curtice said earlier this week that neither Jenrick nor Badenoch would be able to win back voters.

Regardless, team Jenrick is bullish - one campaign source told The Telegraph: "All the polling shows that Rob is more popular than Kemi with the public - whether they are Labour, Lib Dem or Reform voters.

"This is a contest to pick the next prospective Prime Minister, not just an opposition figure to shout at Starmer.

"Everyone has had enough of excuses and drama... We just need to deliver."

DECISION TIME: THE RACE TO LEAD WILL AIR ON GB NEWS TONIGHT AT 7PM - READ MORE HERE

Tory MP sparks furious row with claim Kemi Badenoch 'too preoccupied' being a mum to be Conservative leader

Conservative MP Sir Christopher Chope has claimed party leadership hopeful Kemi Badenoch is too "preoccupied" with her children to be Leader of the Opposition.

Speaking on ITV, Chope said: "Much as I like Kemi, I think she's preoccupied with her own children, quite understandably.

"Robert [Jenrick]'s children are a bit older - and I think that it's important that the Leader of the Opposition has an enormous amount of time and energy."

When pushed on his comments, Chope clarified: "Kemi spends a lot of time with her family - which I don't resent at all. You can't spend all your time with your family while being Leader of the Opposition."

He was then told: "Many women will be shocked by those comments... There should be no barrier to women standing in public life."

"You're completely misrepresenting what I said," Chope retorted. "What I'm talking about is the time commitment."

Badenoch herself has put down claims she couldn't balance her commitments, telling TalkTV how "there's a lot that I can do and I can juggle it all".

DECISION TIME: THE RACE TO LEAD WILL AIR ON GB NEWS TONIGHT AT 7PM - READ MORE HERE

Reform UK boasts of surge in support as Labour voters 'flee to Farage in droves' - 'We will beat Starmer!'

Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf has boasted about the populist party's soaring support in opinion polls as Labour voters appear to have flocked to Farage - just over 100 days into Sir Keir Starmer's premiership.

Responding to a recent poll of polls putting Reform UK up six points on 20 per cent, Yusuf said: "Labour voters are fleeing in their droves to Reform. Not the Tories. Only Reform can beat Labour. And we will."

The polling averages have placed Reform UK is just five points behind the effectively leaderless Tories - who, alongside Farage's party, are the only ones trending up - and nine points behind Starmer's faltering Labour.

Yusuf, who was last month instructed to democratise and professionalise Reform UK, also shared separate polls showing the populist party as more popular than Labour.

Directly addressing Reform UK's support in Wales, Yusuf warned: "You haven't seen anything yet."

Yusuf’s comments come as Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick prepare to lock horns tonight at 7pm on GB News for Decision Time: The Race to Lead - live on The People's Channel.

Despite Jenrick and Badenoch both hoping to thwart the rise of Reform UK, a new opinion poll has suggested Farage could make large gains if either succeed Rishi Sunak as Tory leader.

The situation prompted former Conservative MP Miriam Cates to urge her former colleagues to "swallow their pride" by entering a pact with Reform UK.

Writing in ConservativeHome, Cates said: "It is easy to dismiss Farage as merely a 'populist' - and certainly the Reform UK manifesto this year was a feast of fantasy policies - but this challenger party is rapidly professionalising and building infrastructure, and there is no reason to believe that their advances will be reversed."