Fears over Tory feuding are mounting as Robert Jenrick‘s allies hit back at claims he is jockeying to replace Kemi Badenoch.
Insiders have admitted that the shadow justice secretary’s increasingly punchy interventions are causing tensions with colleagues.
Mr Jenrick has put out slick videos on issues such as fare-dodging on the Tube, the Chagos Islands handover to Mauritius and theft of tools from vans.
Bin collections in Birmingham and immigration have also been on his list of hot topics.
Ms Badenoch is believed to be relaxed about her former leadership rival’s activities, with sources saying she wants her team ‘out there getting a hearing’.
However, one senior figure told MailOnline: ‘It is more of a problem for other members of the shadow cabinet.
‘Some have been very annoyed when he’s waded in…. That has caused tensions.
‘Kemi has a challenge managing the competition in her team.’
Robert Jenrick’s social media push has irritated some colleagues, although many MPs back his efforts to draw attention
Kemi Badenoch is understood to be relaxed about her former leadership rival’s activities, with sources saying she wants her team ‘out there getting a hearing’
Another well-connected Tory swiped that it was ‘no surprise’ Mr Jenrick’s social media efforts were causing irritation – but suggested he was not making any progress with the public.
‘The talk about Boris (Johnson) as an alternative indicates that people don’t think Robert would make any difference,’ they said.
A Conservative source said: ‘MPs have to get used to life in Opposition. The public just want the Conservatives to hold Labour to account.
‘They don’t care about who does it, they certainly don’t have time for fragile egos and pettiness.’
One Tory MP suggested shadow home secretary Chris Philp was the one ‘on manoeuvres’ and gunning for shadow chancellor Mel Stride’s job – something he denies.
‘Chris is insanely keen to promote himself. He’s always pumping out stuff on the Conservative MPs’ WhatsApp group. He’s clearly very ambitious,’ they said.
Another veteran backbencher said Mr Jenrick’s wide-ranging approach was an issue, but there was a problem with the rest of the shadow cabinet failing to make a mark.
‘I think it’s a fine balance between having effective people in your shadow cabinet, serving the wider good, but not allowing stories of leadership challenges to come from it,’ the ex-minister said.
‘I think there are a lot who still haven’t transitioned from Government to Opposition.’
Mr Jenrick has put out slick videos on issues such as fare-dodging on the Tube, the Chagos Islands handover to Mauritius and theft of tools from vans
A former minister described Mr Jenrick’s manoeuvring as ‘manic and desperate’. But they added: ‘Hard working, capable and impatient are also words that apply.’
A spokesman for Mr Jenrick said: ‘Rob’s just doing his job. He’s working hard all day to make Labour pay for the damage they are doing to the country.’
Mr Stride was asked in a round of broadcast interviews last week whether Mr Jenrick was ‘not being helpful’ with his social media presence.
‘Rob is doing a great job being out there using social media and getting important messages across. That’s what we’re more broadly doing in the social media age as a party,’ he said.
