Robert Jenrick has lengthy been thought of a detailed pal and ally of the Prime Minister.
In 2019 he joined fellow rising stars Rishi Sunak and Oliver Dowden in penning an influential article endorsing Boris Johnson’s management bid, which was broadly seen as pivotal in galvanising younger Tory moderates behind him.
When he was appointed as immigration minister by Mr Sunak final 12 months, it was thought he had been put there to try to rein within the extra radical and troublesome Suella Braverman.
However no matter their previous relationship, the timing of his departure yesterday – and the hostile tone of his resignation letter to the Prime Minister – was about as unfriendly because it will get.
It got here simply 4 hours after Mrs Braverman put the boot into the PM together with her personal ’private assertion’ to the Commons – and fewer than an hour after Mr Sunak warned his MPs they wanted to unite or die.
Final night time Tory whips have been on purple alert for any indicators that Mr Jenrick’s departure would possibly set off additional resignations, or add to the pile of letters of no confidence
The blow to the PM is all of the extra bitter as a result of it got here amid indicators his Rwanda plan would possibly simply serve to unite his fractious MPs
One shut ally of the PM described it as ’treacherous’ and accused Mr Jenrick of making an attempt to ’destroy the get together’.
It additionally displayed a beforehand unseen ruthless streak. Tory MPs have been final night time pondering Mr Jenrick’s motives. Was he angered by being neglected for House Secretary in final month’s reshuffle? Does he actually suppose he might escape of obscurity and someday lead the get together?
His personal rationalization – that he merely doesn’t consider the brand new Rwanda laws will work – is hardly extra useful.
In any case, if the immigration minister with accountability for guiding the laws by means of parliament, says it’s a ’triumph of hope over expertise’, why ought to anybody else again it?
The blow to the PM is all of the extra bitter as a result of it got here amid indicators his Rwanda plan would possibly simply serve to unite his fractious MPs. Veteran Eurosceptic Sir Invoice Money, who’s analyzing the element on behalf of the Tory Proper, informed Mr Sunak it was ’daring and strong’ at a gathering of the 1922 Committee.
Robert Jenrick has lengthy been thought of a detailed pal and ally of the Prime Minister
If Mr Jenrick’s resignation hardens opinion in opposition to the Invoice it won’t even make it by means of the Commons, not to mention the Lords, the place friends are already sharpening their knives.
Final night time Tory whips have been on purple alert for any indicators that Mr Jenrick’s departure would possibly set off additional resignations, or add to the pile of letters of no confidence – which is already mentioned to be in double figures.
Labour, who haven’t any severe plans to manage immigration, have been jubilant.
In Downing Avenue, there was a temper of anger and despair that after once more, a possible step ahead had been derailed.
Regardless of the rights and wrongs of Mr Jenrick’s departure it provides to the sense Tory MPs have a collective loss of life want. In the event that they keep on like this, their want will likely be granted.