Robert Jenrick hits again after being in comparison with ‘Tory boy’ in newest spat
Conservative leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick has lashed out over comparisons between him and comedy character Tory Boy.
The right-winger, who is going head-to-head with Kemi Badenoch to succeed Rishi Sunak, took a brutal swipe at heavyweight Michael Gove, who hinted at a likeness. Mr Gove said one of the contender’s big weaknesses is that he “looks like a typical Tory politician” – which is troublesome because of the “strength of feeling against Tory boys”.
The wording appears to be a reference to Harry Enfield character Tory Boy, who featured in sketches in the 1990s. The obnoxious fictional 13-year-old activist was a popular caricature of young Conservatives at the time.
Quizzed about it, Mr Jenrick said: “Well, the last person I would take advice from in a leadership contest I think is Michael Gove… I don’t know what [Tory boy] really means… I didn’t come from a traditional conservative background.
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“Neither of my parents were card carrying members of the Conservative Party… I don’t consider myself to be a ‘Tory boy.’ I want the Conservative Party to be the trade union of working people right across this country.”
It comes after Mr Gove was asked if he was implying Mr Jenrick was a “Tory boy”. He quipped: “So am I, it’s a stain I bear.” But he said this could work against the leadership hopeful, saying: “Given the strength of feeling against Tory boys expressed at the last election, that is a challenge.”
Asked who he was supporting, Mr Gove said: “It’s difficult for me because I’m a friend of both. Robert’s strengths are diligence, rigour, hunger. He is someone who has focussed in on some of the big questions…and he has answers.”
The remarks came despite Mr Jenrick having a very public dig at him at the Conservative Party Conference earlier this month. In a quickfire round in front of hundreds of Tory members, the leadership hopeful was asked what colleague would be a star of BBC hit The Traitors.
“Michael Gove has left Parliament,” he responded.
