Conservative leadership candidate Robert Jenrick has pledged to unite the divided party and introduce economic policies that would see a 2p cut in income tax.
talk on GB NewsJenrick outlined his vision for a more cohesive Conservative party, emphasizing his business background as a key driver of his economic strategy.
“I have friends in the party, and I believe our party should be a broad church,” Jenrick said. “I want it to have all the traditions of our party… and I want to unify the party, that is my nature.”
Jenrick criticized the recent party infighting, calling it a “disgrace” and blaming factions for the loss of good councilors and MPs. “This can never happen again,” he said, adding his desire to put an end to the internal political conflict.
Economic vision
When asked about his economic policies, Jenrick highlighted his business roots, explaining that being raised in a small family business shaped his understanding of what it takes to support economic growth. “My father left school when he was 16… and I used to help him in his shop. I know what it takes to grow a business and support our economy.
He stressed the need to return to higher economic growth, claiming that the party had failed to deliver on its promises of a strong economy. “We have lived through a period of low economic growth, and that must change,” Jenrick said.
Among his key policy proposals, Jenrick promised to develop a robust plan to grow the economy by focusing on key areas such as:
Social welfare reform: He pledged to help people move from welfare to work to ensure a sustainable workforce, and avoid dependence on foreign labour.
Energy strategy: Jenrick called for investment in nuclear power stations and stressed that gas is “here to stay” to ensure businesses have access to cheap and reliable energy.
Infrastructure developmentHe stressed the importance of encouraging the construction of factories, offices, and data centers to support business competitiveness at the global level.
Jenrick also criticized the current tax burden, saying that high taxes stifle growth. He proposed cutting government spending, specifically returning the social care bill to pre-coronavirus levels, which he claims would make it possible to cut 2p from income tax. “It is possible to have a smaller country and a more competitive economy,” he concluded.
While Jenrick presents himself as a unified candidate with a clear economic agenda, his leadership bid depends on bridging divisions within the Conservative Party and delivering on promises to cut taxes and boost growth.