Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick is “starting to show signs of Boris behaviour” ahead of a potential leadership challenge next year, Boris Johnson's former Chief of Staff has claimed.
Lord Udny-Lister, 75, said that Kemi Badenoch “needs to make inroads now” if she is to survive a potential leadership challenge next year from Mr Jenrick, who is “keeping himself in the limelight.”
A key Johnson ally, the 75-year-old has warned Mrs Badenoch that “May is crucial”, if she is to survive as party leader, with Jenrick “positioning himself” to be her successor.
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The Conservative party leader currently has a net favorability rating of – 31, with a striking 52 per cent of voters seeing the Leader of the Opposition in a negative light according to YouGov.
Despite this, green shoots can be seen with favorability towards the Conservative party increasing by five points to 26 per cent in August.
Speaking exclusively to GB News, Lord Lister said: “If she (Badenoch) shows a direction of travel by then (May), she will buy time, and time is what she needs.”
He added: “The question is can Kemi get a story out there as to why people should vote Conservative.”
When asked if Boris Johnson might be tempted to make a comeback, the peer said: “Never say never with him never underestimate Boris, but I just don’t know.”
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Robert Jenrick has been much more active on X than his party leader Kemi Badenoch
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However, when pressed if the former Prime Minister would attempt a comeback he said: “I think he would only come back if it was a coronation, he is the only one with the same kind of pull that can take on Farage.”
Since Kemi Badenoch took the reins, the Conservatives have lost major donors, including HomeServe founder Richard Harpin, who had contributed more than £3.8million since 2008.
Bassim Haidar also quit the party, switching support to Reform UK.
After giving over £700,000 to the Tories, he accused them of having “lost their way” and pledged £1million to Mr Farage's party.
When asked if Boris Johnson might be tempted to make a comeback, the peer said: 'Never say never with him never underestimate Boris, but I just don’t know'
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In response, a current Shadow Minister told GB News: “We need to get our house in order and that means setting out our values and our vision - which currently is not happening or cutting through.”
While another Tory MP told the People’s Channel: “The Conservative Party is going backwards under Badenoch not forwards.
“She would do well to focus less on insulting members of her own party who may not have backed her and more on providing a radical, urgent Conservative vision focused on the needs of the country and on defeating Labour.”
Mr Jenrick has been much more active on X than his party leader Kemi Badenoch.
Despite similar account ages, he’s posted more than 10,000 times, more than triple the number of Mrs Badenoch’s 3,000 posts.
The Leader of the Opposition holds a follower advantage of more than 100,000, but the Shadow Justice Secretary regularly uses social media posts and slick videos to boost his image, including clips of raising English flags and confronting fare dodgers.
Now Mr Jenrick continues raising his profile internationally.
He recently met US Vice President JD Vance, though a planned meeting with Badenoch was cancelled due to a scheduling conflict.
Labour MP Barry Gardiner said: "Since 2010 the Conservatives have had six leaders. Perhaps like Lord Voldemort the soul of the Conservative Party was split into seven horcruxes since the fall of 'She Who Must Not Be Named'.
"It is possible that Jenrick is the seventh Horcrux. But I tell you this: he is no Harry Potter!"
GB News has approached the Conservative party for comment.