Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has said he is backing Robert Jenrick to be the next Conservative leader, saying he believes he can ‘steal Nigel Farage’s clothes’.
Speaking on GB News Jacob Rees-Mogg said:
“So for the Tory leadership. Well, I’m not a Tory Member of Parliament anymore, as you all know. So until now, I’ve had no role in what is going on. And I thought it was important to recognize that I was no longer an MP and therefore didn’t have a role, and it was for MPs to decide who the last two were.
“Which is why, up until today, I haven’t decided who to support.
“But in the end, I have a vote as a member of the Conservative Party, and it’s a very important decision for the Tory party, the Tory family to make.
“Who do we want to lead us to the next general election? Who do we think can take on the Reverend Starmer? Who will be able to converse with Nigel Farage and see where that may go one way or another? Who can steal Nigel’s clothes, if necessary, which may be the best way of going about it?
“Well, I’ve come to the conclusion that that person is Robert Jenrick. I think that he will be able to do it. I’m going to support him, because I think he understands the depth of the challenge the country faces, and has the gumption to do something about it.
“Now, I think Kemi Badenoch has many virtues. She is highly capable, her campaign against woke has been extraordinarily impressive.
“I think the Conservatives need to come together after the result and support whoever wins.
“It just seems to me that Robert has that edge and the ability to lead and to get Conservative policies to the forefront of the political agenda.
“I think we lost the last election because we hadn’t done Conservative things. We put corporation tax up to 25%. We must change from that, and I think Robert will be able to do that, which is why I’m supporting him.”
