MHN is backing Robert Jenrick MP for leader of the Conservative Party. At an event on Sunday 20th October 2024, your author had the privilege of meeting him at an official hustings. Whilst Kemi Badenoch, who was also there, is an impressive candidate, I felt that Jenrick was by far the stronger and had a much clearer policy platform.
Robert Jenrick speaks to a packed hall in the Old Palace at Hatfield House. Your author can just be seen on the left, four rows back behind Jacob Rees Mogg.
Before moving on to my support for Jenrick, let us not overlook Kemi Badenoch. I was tempted to back her for leader because she has a similar background to myself, starting as a software developer before studying law. She is an impressive candidate, and not to be disrespected. Second of six is nothing to sniff at.
Even so, Jenrick was far better. He has an extremely coherent platform – identify the core issues, number one being immigration, and identify solutions. Jenrick intends quite clearly to cut through the red tape of the European Court of Human Rights by withdrawing from it as well as the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Convention provides a number of rights, for example the right to life, to be free from arbitrary state execution, free from arbitrary detention, free from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, free from slavery, the right to a fair trial and also the right to family life. These were used, for example, to block the Rwanda plan attempted by the previous Conservative government. By withdrawing from the Convention, Jenrick will put truly radical options on the table for resolving the problem of illegal and legal migration.
I asked a question which the very efficient Hertfordshire area officers enabled me to have heard. I asked about Jenrick’s position on Ukraine. This was very near the end of Jenrick’s section and was cut off, but he answered it afterwards whilst mingling. His position was very cautious – he was in favour of Ukraine winning but not willing to escalate – I suspect he believes that the war will be resolved long before he is anywhere near number 10 Downing Street – so I was not dissatisfied with his answer.
Overall it was a very positive event.
