Robert Jenrick latest: New Reform MP burns bridges with Tories after sacking prompts defection to Farage’s party

At least 27 local officials have requested postponement of elections this year due to the government’s restructuring effort, according to administrators.

Dozens of district and county council votes across England could be delayed as authorities seek to make structural changes as part of a shake-up of local government.

Opposition critics said Labor was “scared” of voters after ministers said they would allow delays if they had concerns about councils’ ability to deliver reforms on time.

But Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended the Government’s plans and said the possibility of a delay was a “common sense question” about whether elections should go ahead in the event of changes to local government.

Nearly 27 of 63 eligible local authorities (or more than a third) have requested a postponement of district or county council votes this year, according to data compiled by the Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA).

Others have not yet decided whether they will request a postponement ahead of Thursday’s midnight deadline.

Tory MP Andrew Griffiths, shadow secretary for business and trade, confirmed the Conservatives remained united despite the departure of Robert Jenrick.

“I came to politics for business reasons. I know there is no ‘I’ in the team.

“We have no shortage of reasons for this, given the epic damage done by the socialists on Downing Street. @Conservatives to be united.

“Leadership involves setting the line.”

Nigel Farage says Robert Jenrick will not be allowed to disagree with him publicly.

Answering a question Independent‘s Kate Devlin said: “The one rule I have as a leader is that we have to have disagreements, we have to have arguments, we have to have fights behind closed doors.

“People who argue with me publicly in politics usually don’t fare well.”

Nigel Farage insisted he did not offer rank, title, position or money to Mr Jenrick.

Mr Jenrick said: “No one leaves a party the punters love to lead out of ambition.

“You do this out of faith. I did this today because I am convinced that this is the right thing to do for my constituents and my country.”

Robert Jenrick said defecting to Reformation England was a difficult decision and not one he took lightly, but he was convinced it was the right thing to do for the country.

Denying that Mr Farage was ambitious to take on the mantle of party leader, he said: “Whatever the bookmakers say about the leadership of the Tory party, I did it because I think Nigel is the man to lead this country.”

Robert Jenrick has said he will not call a by-election and will not run as a Reform candidate.

Under the Westminster system, MPs are allowed to join the party of change without giving voters a say.

“I’m not considering going to a by-election,” Mr Jenrick said.

He said he won last time because his voters knew he was independent-minded and supported them.

After criticizing Priti Patel, the Conservative Party drew attention to a tweet she made in 2024.

In it he said: “My friend Priti Patel is a fierce advocate for Conservatism and her experience will be invaluable as we rebuild.”