| Robert Jenrick 2024 Conservative leadership campaign | |
| Candidate: | Robert Jenrick Minister of State for Immigration (2022–2023) |
| Slogan: | Change. Win. Deliver. |
| Affiliation: | Conservative Party (election) |
| Headquarters: | 15 Great College Street, SW1P 3RX |
On 25 July 2024, Robert Jenrick, former Minister of State for Immigration, announed his campaign to become Leader of the Conservative Party, following Rishi Sunak's resignation, after the party's defeat at the 2024 United Kingdom general election.
Jenrick first entered government in 2019, when he was appointed as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson.[1] He remained in the position until 2021, when he was replaced by Michael Gove in a cabinet reshuffle.[2] In September 2022, after Liz Truss won the July–September 2022 Conservative Party leadership election, she appointed Jenrick as Secretary of State for Health. He remained in that post for all of Truss' 50-day premiership. After Rishi Sunak succeeded Truss in October, he was appointed Minister of State for Immigration.[3] He resigned in December 2023, over his views on the Rwanda asylum plan, stating that it "does not go far enough".[4]
At the 2024 United Kingdom general election, the Conservative Party was defeated with the lowest overall seat share in the party's history. Following the defeat, Rishi Sunak resigned as party leader and Prime Minister, however he would remain as Leader of the Opposition until a contest could be held. Jenrick himself was re-elected in his constituency of Newark.[5]
On 25 July, Jenrick officially announced his campaign, after weeks of speculation.[6] Jenrick received nine total endorsements from sitting Conservative MP's, including Gareth Davies,[7] John Hayes,[8] Caroline Johnson,[9] Danny Kruger,[10] Edward Leigh, Esther McVey,[11] Mark Pritchard, Jack Rankin,[12] and Andrew Rosindell.