During the 2019 Conservative leadership contest, Robert Jenrick joined forces with Oliver Dowden and Rishi Sunak to write an opinion piece for The Times headlined: “The Tories are in deep danger”. Only Boris Johnson can save us.
Just over three years later, Mr Jenrick has joined Mr Dowden in backing Mr Sunak – rather than Mr Johnson – for the top job.
“As someone who helped elect Boris in 2019, served loyally in his cabinet, now is not the right time for a comeback. We need serious and competent leadership and the best person to do that is Rishi Sunak,” he said. Jenrick said this afternoon.
“Boris defeated Jeremy Corbyn, pushed through Brexit, steered us through the pandemic and led Europe’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He will go down in history as a consistent leader who he got the big calls right.
“However, we must not forget that 43 days ago the party sacked Boris Johnson as serious problems engulfed his prime minister. Some of them remain unresolved. Given the breath and scale of the challenges international and domestic that the country is facing, there can be no more distractions.”