How mild-mannered “Robert Generic” transformed into a ruthless right-wing conservative leader wannabe

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Former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick was so cautious and moderate when he entered the House of Commons that he was nicknamed "Robert Generic

Jenrick checked all the boxes on the list. A conservative cliché. A Cambridge history graduate and qualified lawyer, he joined Parliament as the MP for Newark in 2014. He voted to remain in the EU and supported Theresa May's Brexit deal three times. He has served as a minister in several departments under every prime minister since 2017. It is not surprising that he has long been considered a moderate within the party.

Robert Jenrick has been friends with Rishi Sunak for many years

(PA Archive)

As a long-time friend of Rishi Sunak, Jenrick appeared to be the obvious choice. to keep a watchful eye on the unpredictable Interior Minister, Suella Braverman.

Sunak may have hoped that teddy bear-like Jenrick would keep wild bear Braverman in check – instead, after 13 months, he joined him. He is now among the favorites to succeed Sunak if the Conservatives lose the next general election – or if the Prime Minister is ousted before then, unlikely as that may seem.

It's all discreet that Jenrick infiltrated. the list of possible candidates for leadership. Despite having worked in a number of high-profile ministries including the Treasury, Health, Home Office and Housing, the former minister's name never came up in conversations about the leadership until recently. But those who have worked with him are complimentary, describing him as "deeply cerebral" and an excellent communicator, and say his political vision extends well beyond immigration.

Housing is a high priority for Jenrick. After proposing planning reforms as housing minister and appealing to his successor, Michael Gove, not to dilute housebuilding commitments, he breaks with some party members who have opposed to housing objectives. Jenrick warned the party would lose young voters if it failed to deliver on its housing promises. With just 10 per cent of under-50s saying they will vote Conservative at the next election, Tory strategists say a pro-housebuilding stance could be the only way to avoid a wipeout.

But despite his seemingly centrist credentials, his allies insist that Jenrick has always been right-wing. An observer...