‘I have lost a friend’: Tories in Jenrick’s constituency shocked by defection to Reform

While voters in Jenrick’s Newark constituency were mixed on the decision, members of the local Conservatives felt betrayed

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or Sam Smith, Thursday began as an ordinary day. The Conservative councillor was preparing for a budget scrutiny meeting at the Reform-led Nottinghamshire county council hall, where he is leader of the opposition, when he received a message from long-time friend Robert Jenrick.

The MP’s message to the Newark Conservative Association’s group chat queried what local pubs they could visit to oppose Labour’s hike on business rates.

It was not unusual for Smith to hear from the MP. The pair have been friends for more than half a decade and the councillor said he spearheaded Jenrick’s re-election campaign in 2024, successfully helping him face off a Tory wipeout. “We text each other every week and speak on the phone and meet up,” he said.