What's happened
Several former Conservative figures, including Robert Jenrick, have criticised the party's handling of Liz Truss's mini-budget and its refusal to expel her. Jenrick's recent defection to Reform UK underscores ongoing internal conflicts and doubts about the party's willingness to reform or change its leadership approach.
What's behind the headline?
The recent defections and criticisms reveal deep fractures within the Conservative Party, driven by dissatisfaction with leadership and a perceived failure to address past errors. Jenrick's outspoken stance against Truss's mini-budget and his call for her expulsion reflect a broader desire among some members for accountability and reform. The party's inability or unwillingness to purge controversial figures like Truss suggests a leadership that prioritizes internal loyalty over public trust. This internal discord risks further alienating voters and weakening the party's electoral prospects. Jenrick's move to Reform UK indicates a growing dissatisfaction among traditional conservatives, who see the current leadership as out of touch and unwilling to confront the party's failures. The ongoing public disputes serve to deepen the political divide and could accelerate shifts in party allegiances, impacting future policy and leadership decisions.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Jenrick's criticisms of the Conservative Party's failure to expel Liz Truss highlight internal divisions and a lack of accountability. Sky News emphasizes Jenrick's view that the party has not changed since Truss's tenure, citing her mini-budget's harm to the economy. The Mirror details Jenrick's accusations that the party's reluctance to remove Truss reflects a broader failure to confront past mistakes, and notes his recent defection to Reform UK. Truss's response on X dismisses Jenrick's claims, calling him a 'Trojan horse,' illustrating ongoing tensions and the polarized nature of the debate within UK politics.
How we got here
The controversy stems from Liz Truss's brief tenure as Prime Minister in 2022, marked by a controversial mini-budget that caused market turmoil. Despite her resignation after 49 days, she remains a party member, which critics like Jenrick say signals the Conservative Party's reluctance to confront its past mistakes. Jenrick's departure to Reform UK follows his long-standing disagreements with party leadership, especially over the handling of Truss and the party's direction.
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Elizabeth Mary Truss, known as Liz Truss, is a British politician serving as Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade since July 2019 and Minister for Women and Equalities since September 2019.
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