Robert Jenrick attacks Kemi Badenoch and rejects Conservative pact

Reform UK shadow chancellor Robert Jenrick delivered a scathing attack on Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, comparing any potential political pact between their parties to being handcuffed to a zombie (The Guardian). Speaking at a press conference on October 9, 2026, Jenrick repeatedly referred to the Tory leader as “Kensington Kemi” and argued that relations between the Conservatives and Reform UK have severely deteriorated.

The intensifying rhetoric follows recent party conferences where economic priorities and potential cooperation were sharply debated. Badenoch used her conference speech to rule out any move to unite the right with a deal between Reform and the Tories, while Reform leader Nigel Farage downplayed a post-electoral pact as extremely unlikely.

Attacks on Conservative Tax Policies and Wealth

Jenrick accused the Conservative Party of functioning as a metropolitan pressure group for the wealthiest (The Guardian). Branding the Conservative leader’s focus, Jenrick stated: Kemi knows who her people are. Millionaires, not Mansfield. He claimed one vision thinks Britain is fine and that inheritance tax for multi-millionaires is the main problem.

Jenrick claimed the Tories chose Kensington instead of supporting struggling strivers and savers, accusing Badenoch of sticking up two fingers to workers by pledging to cut inheritance tax instead of unfreezing income tax thresholds (The Sun). In contrast, Jenrick pointed to Reform’s tax proposals, which include raising the personal allowance from £12,570 to £15,000 to benefit 40 million middle earners (The Sun).

Jenrick Defects to Reform UK After Tory Feud

The public clash highlights a deepening rift between the rival parties following Jenrick’s decision to defect to Reform UK earlier this year. The political split follows a long-running feud that previously exploded when Badenoch sacked Jenrick from the Tory shadow cabinet upon discovering he was plotting to defect (The Sun).

Jenrick Defends Remarks on British Cultural Identity

Jenrick also defended his remarks regarding the cultural identity debate and his previous comments concerning the UK, which have been reported to the police and the Prevent counter-radicalisation programme. He emphasized his primary concern lies with individuals possessing a British passport who do not love the country.

Concluding his remarks on an optimistic note, Jenrick told supporters that help is on its way and described the nation as the single greatest country on Earth.