Portrait of Robert Jenrick
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Robert Jenrick on Brexit

Pro-Brexit commitment (strong) Position evolved

TL;DR

Robert Jenrick, after initially opposing the move, became a strong advocate for delivering Brexit and now insists on maximizing its opportunities.

Key Points

  • He opposed the UK remaining in the EU during the 2016 referendum but subsequently backed the process to leave.

  • He argues that the major failure post-2019 was not capitalizing on Brexit freedoms with further domestic reform, not the decision to leave itself.

  • As a Reform UK politician, he insists the next Conservative government must take full control over Northern Ireland, as the Windsor Framework is not sustainable indefinitely.

Summary

Robert Jenrick's position on Brexit has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from being a Remain voter in the 2016 referendum to becoming a committed advocate for its implementation and subsequent opportunities. While he initially opposed leaving the European Union, he supported triggering Article 50 to commence the withdrawal process, arguing that attempts to frustrate it were undemocratic. Following the 2019 general election, he aligned himself with the project of delivering on the mandate for fundamental change.

Currently, Jenrick contends that the Conservative Party failed by not delivering more beyond the act of leaving the EU, focusing instead on issues like migration and the economy. He explicitly calls for getting Brexit back on track to realize its benefits, warning that the alternative Labour Party would seek to unravel the process. His stance now demands taking back full control, particularly regarding Northern Ireland, and using the freedoms gained to pursue domestic reforms, such as cutting legal migration and deregulating key sectors.

Key Quotes

We got Brexit done. But we must collectively confront a hard truth: we then failed to deliver the strong economy, NHS, and secure border we promised.

“Well, I don't remember that letter, but my view has changed absolutely.

The Conservative Party made Brexit happen. If we can't now be bothered to defend it, it will be Conservatives who pay the price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Robert Jenrick is currently a strong proponent of ensuring the UK fully capitalizes on the benefits of Brexit, having joined Reform UK following his departure from the Conservatives. He views delivering Brexit as a major achievement but insists that the next step is using the sovereignty gained for substantial domestic reforms.

No, Robert Jenrick did not always support Brexit; he voted to remain in the European Union during the 2016 referendum. However, after the referendum result, he supported triggering Article 50 and has since shifted to become a firm advocate for the UK's departure.

His view changed following the referendum result, where he stated that frustrating the process was undemocratic. Since then, his political focus has shifted rightward, and he now frames the failure as the lack of bold action taken after leaving the EU, rather than opposing the departure itself.