Reform UK MP for Newark.
Robert Jenrick's most consequential recent act was defecting from the Conservative Party to Reform UK in January 2026 — a move that generated intense local backlash. His own Newark Conservative Association accused him of betrayal, noting he had denied defection plans while secretly negotiating with Reform since September 2025. Multiple local figures described the switch as a breach of trust with the voters who re-elected him as a Conservative in 2024. He has since voted consistently with Reform, opposing the government's carbon budgets and climate regulations, blocking the Immigration and Asylum Bill, and backing extended parliamentary scrutiny on the National Security (State Threats) Bill. His one notable rebel vote came in February 2026, when he backed removing the two-child limit on Universal Credit — against his party's majority.
At 43% participation, Jenrick votes in fewer than half of Commons divisions, well below the average for MPs. Where he does vote, he is almost perfectly aligned with Reform (99.6%), opposing tax increases in every recorded vote and backing business-friendly positions in nine out of ten. His speeches — 170 contributions across 81 debates — concentrate heavily on crime, defence, and the economy, consistent with Reform's core messaging. He sits on no select committees, limiting his influence over detailed legislation.
His defection from the Conservatives stripped Nottinghamshire of its last Conservative MP. The strongest recent news signal is negative coverage of his MP performance, centred on the defection controversy. More recent local coverage (last 90 days) touches on crime and higher education. No committee work is recorded, so his impact on legislation is confined largely to chamber speeches and voting.
The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick is the Reform UK MP for Newark, and has been an MP continually since 5 June 2014.
Top eight by total divisions voted, this parliament. Volume measures engagement, not direction — see Notable Votes for free-vote moments and rebellions.
Source · The Public Whip · Hansard
Moments where the whip was free, or where Jenrick broke ranks. Free votes are the truer signal of personal stance.
| Date | Bill / motion | Vote | Whip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Feb 2026 | Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading | Yes | Freevs party |
Source · Hansard
“Government cancellation of the A38 Derby and A46 Newark road schemes without proper notification damages the East Midlands and undermines mayoral devolution.”
“Welcomed the proscription of the IRGC but demanded assurances on swift enforcement and stamping out of the organisation's activities in the UK.”
“Supports the disqualification principle, pointing to Shahid Butt's case as absurd; expresses alarm that 452 voters supported a convicted terrorist but backs legislative change.”
“The scrapping of the A46 and A38 road projects in the East Midlands lacks transparency, adequate consultation, or communication; the Department for Transport should engage directly…”
Jenrick holds no select-committee seat this session. New 2024-intake MPs typically wait one term before being appointed.
| Department | Qs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Justice | 120 | 84.5% |
| Attorney General | 7 | 4.9% |
| Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office | 7 | 4.9% |
| Home Office | 5 | 3.5% |
| Ministry of Defence | 1 | 0.7% |
| Department for Business and Trade | 1 | 0.7% |
| Treasury | 1 | 0.7% |
Whether he has made an estimate of the cost to his Department of subsidising visa costs for foreign national workers.
As part of the Industrial Strategy, the Chancellor launched the Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale-Ups on 10 June. The targeted grant scheme, worth up to £25K for around 50 businesses a year, will help UK scale-ups in Clean Energy, Li…read full →
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department is defending a civil claim for damages brought by Abu Faraj al-Libi; and what estimate she has made of the potential liability to the public purse in relation to a claimant identified as the "main planner" of the 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot targeting flights from the UK.
As the Rt Hon Member knows, it has been the UK's longstanding position under successive governments, including the one he supported for over a decade, not to comment on intelligence related litigation.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will publish a list of all current legal proceedings, including civil claims and complaints to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, brought against her Department by current detainees at Guantanamo Bay; and what is the total estimated value of these claims including legal costs.
As the Rt Hon Member knows, it has been the UK's longstanding position under successive governments, including the one he supported for over a decade, not to comment on intelligence related litigation.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any settlement discussions have been initiated with representatives of Abu Faraj al-Libi, Mustafa al-Hawsawi, or Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri.
As the Rt Hon Member knows, it has been the UK's longstanding position under successive governments, including the one he supported for over a decade, not to comment on intelligence related litigation.
Payment: £7,500
Payment: £7,500
Received on: 28 September 2025. Hours: 15 hrs.
(Registered 30 September 2025) |
Payment: £4,200 for articles written
Payment: £4,200 for articles written
Received on: 27 August 2025. Hours: 16 hrs.
(Registered 27 August 2025) |
Role, work or services: Writing articles
Role, work or services: Writing articles
Payer: Telegraph Media Group Holdings Limited (Newspaper), 111, Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1… |
Michael Cohen 11 May 2026 |
Scott Harris 3 November 2025 |
Source · Members API · Last amended 19 May 2026
| Category | £ | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Staffing | 246,791 | 74.3% |
| Miscellaneous | 34,679 | 10.4% |
| Accommodation | 25,801 | 7.8% |
| Office Costs | 21,959 | 6.6% |
| MP Travel | 2,375 | 0.7% |
| Total · 79 claims | 332,034 | 100% |
Source · IPSA · FY 24_25
Nothing tabled for Jenrick on the published Order Paper this week.
| Year | Constituency | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Newark | 20,968 | 39.2% | Won |
| 2019 | Newark | 34,660 | 63.3% | Won |
| 2017 | Newark | 34,493 | 62.7% | Won |
| 2015 | Newark | 29,834 | 57.0% | Won |
| 2014 | Newark | 17,431 | 45.0% | Won |
| 2010 | Newcastle-under-Lyme | 14,841 | 34.4% | Lost |
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert JenrickWON | Con | 20,968 | 39.2 |
Showing the MP’s own row only. Full result table: see Newark →