Robert Jenrick, the front-runner in the Conservative Party leadership race, is set to deliver a pivotal speech at the party conference, outlining his vision for a "new Conservative Party". This strategic move, reminiscent of Tony Blair's New Labour transformation, aims to revitalize the party and regain public trust.
Jenrick's campaign focuses on five key policy areas: addressing immigration, promoting affordable energy, boosting construction, streamlining government, and fostering national unity. These priorities reflect the party's traditional values while addressing contemporary challenges.
The Conservative Party, one of the world's oldest political parties founded in 1834, has faced numerous challenges in recent years. Jenrick's call for renewal comes as the party seeks to maintain its grip on power, having governed since 2010.
In his speech, Jenrick is expected to say:
"If we're to tackle the immense challenges we face, if we're to restore the public's trust, we must build something new. A new Conservative Party. That is what I call for today. Nothing less than a new Conservative Party built on the rock of our oldest values and best traditions."
Jenrick's approach to immigration has garnered significant attention. He proposes withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to address illegal migration and setting an annual cap on legal net migration below 100,000. This stance has sparked debate, considering the UK's peak net migration of 745,000 in the year ending December 2022.
The candidate's position on the ECHR has drawn criticism from within the party. The convention, drafted in 1950 and implemented in 1953, is separate from the European Union, which the UK left in 2020 following the 2016 referendum.
Jenrick's political journey has seen a shift from a moderate, pro-EU stance to a more right-wing position. This transformation mirrors the broader changes within the Conservative Party since the Brexit vote. The party, often referred to as the Tory Party, has traditionally been associated with free-market economics and the concept of a "small state".
Addressing his resignation from Rishi Sunak's Cabinet in December 2023, Jenrick emphasizes his willingness to take a stand:
"I loathe empty rhetoric. Big talk and little action that's part of the reason we are where we are. You know I will take a stand. That's what I did last year."
Jenrick rules out merging with the Reform UK party, originally founded as the Brexit Party in 2018. Instead, he aims to address the issues driving support for Reform, viewing it as a symptom of Conservative failures rather than a cause.
As the leadership contest progresses, Jenrick's campaign must navigate the complex landscape of British politics. The UK's "First-past-the-post" voting system and the Conservative Party's blue banner will frame the eventual general election battle.
Jenrick's vision encompasses various pressing issues, including the UK's energy mix of nuclear, renewable, and fossil fuel sources, and the housing shortage requiring an estimated 300,000 new homes annually. These challenges will test the mettle of any new Conservative leader as they seek to shape the party's future and maintain its position in British politics.