Newark.

Robert Jenrick's defining act of the past year was his defection from the Conservatives to Reform UK in January 2026 -- a move that triggered a sharp backlash from Newark's local Conservative association, whose leadership accused him of betrayal and said he had let down voters who re-elected him under the Conservative banner in 2024. Multiple reports, including in The Guardian, noted that he had been in talks with Reform since September while continuing to campaign alongside local Tories. His one rebel vote since joining Reform came in February, when he backed a bill removing the two-child limit on Universal Credit -- a break from Reform's majority position, and a rare step leftward on welfare from an MP who otherwise votes with his new party 99.6% of the time.

His parliamentary engagement is well below average: he has voted in 45% of divisions, against a Commons norm closer to 60--70%. Within those votes, his record is consistently tough on crime, anti-tax and broadly pro-business, while firmly opposing criminal justice reform and welfare expansion. His speeches lean heavily on crime (48 contributions), defence and social care -- topics that fit his time as a former Home Office and Housing minister, though he currently sits on no select committees.

The defection itself is the dominant story in Newark coverage, pulling his local press sentiment sharply negative. Broader news tracks him on cost-of-living and immigration, where coverage is more neutral. His voting record predates Reform membership for much of the period, so some stances may reflect a transitional phase rather than settled Reform positioning -- worth bearing in mind when reading his recent votes.