Newark MP Robert Jenrick launches campaign to become leader of ...
The Newark MP and former immigration minister is one of six candidates battling it out to replace Rishi Sunak. ITV News Central
www.itv.comHere’s the latest I can confirm based on public reporting up to now.
- Robert Jenrick MP, Newark, was reported to have been sacked from the Conservative Party and subsequently joined Reform UK in January 2026. This marked a significant party switch for a high-profile UK MP. [BBC News, Jan 15, 2026][1]
- Jenrick publicly stated he does not plan to trigger a by-election in Newark following the defection and remains the MP for Newark under Reform UK. [GB News coverage, Jan 14, 2026][2]
- As of January 2026, there have been ongoing discussions about the political realignment around Reform UK and how it affects Newark’s representation, with local reactions mixed among constituents and former party colleagues. [BBC and ITV summaries, Jan 2026][4][1]
If you’d like, I can pull more recent local coverage (e.g., Newark-specific outlets) or provide a brief timeline of Jenrick’s career and prior roles to put this development in context. Would you like me to do that?
Citations:
- BBC News article on Jenrick sacking and switch to Reform UK.[1]
- GB News report confirming he won’t call a by-election and his party switch.[2]
- ITV profile and coverage of Jenrick’s leadership campaign context.[4]