UK politics live: Centrist Tories reject both leadership rivals as Jenrick attacks Badenoch’s ‘needless drama’

Robert Jenrick has called for the Conservatives to “pick ourselves back up” after the party’s worst general election defeat on record. 

“To do anything else means letting down the country,” the Tory leadership hopeful said. 

He has throwing thinly-veiled criticisms at rival Kemi Badenoch, suggesting she would focus on Twitter spats and unserious issues, while he would be focused on the public’s priorities.

Mr Jenrick said: “That’s how we regain the public’s trust. So my plan, grow the economy, reform our public services like the NHS, get migration done by capping the numbers and leaving the ECHR a serious plan, not needless drama.

“Let’s unite around the serious answers to the challenges our country faces, with courage, with competence, with conviction, to make the conservative case for change again.

“That’s how we win again, not in 15 years time, not in 10 years, but that is how we win the next general election.”

The Conservative Party has “no future” if it fails to advocate exiting the European Convention on Human Rights, Robert Jenrick has said.

At the Policy Exchange think tank, he told supporters at a speech: “Unless we leave our party has no future. To regain the trust of the British public we must truly do whatever it takes.”

Instead, Mr Jenrick vowed to introduce a legally binding cap on net migration of “tens of thousands or lower”.

He added: “My way is the promise of a plan, not a plan tomorrow. That won’t cut it. If we don’t get serious on migration our party won’t survive. It is as simple as that.”

Robert Jenrick has lashed out at Liz Truss and her disastrous 2022 mini budget.

One of many Tories keen to distance himself from the short-serving former PM, Mr Jenrick lumped her budget in with Labour’s borrowing plans - describing both as irresponsible.

He said: “I say that sound public finances are the bedrock of our prosperity, and that borrowing billions to fund vanity projects like Ed Miliband’s fantasy energy company is wrong.

“Just as borrowing billions to fund tax cuts in the 2022 mini budget was also wrong.”

Robert Jenrick is not setting the world alight with his Policy Exchange speech, with his feet planted firmly flat and his hands gripping the side of his podium.

He has been speaking for more than 10 minutes without letting go of the podium, and other than light head and shoulder movement, he is extremely still.

Robert Jenrick is harking back to the Brexit days, setting up a stark “leave v remain” choice for voters on the ECHR.

The Tory leadership hopeful believes the European Convention on Human Rights prevents Britain from being able to control illegal migration.

And, channelling Brexit, he said: “It is leave or remain, and I am for leave.”

Kemi Badenoch has not outright backed leaving the convention, but has said she would consider it if she deemed it necessary.

Robert Jenrick is promising that the government’s Rwanda deportation plan would have worked had it been strengthened.

The plan, to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda, was aimed to creating a deterrent to those crossing the English Channel.

But despite the government spending £700m on the policy, just four asylum seekers were sent to the east African nation - all of whom volunteered to go.

Immigration was the first topic Mr Jenrick touched upon, repeating his promise to leave the ECHR. It sets the stage for the issue to be a key dividing line with Kemi Badenoch in the race, and then with Sir Keir Starmer if Mr Jenrick wins.

Robert Jenrick is on stage at the Policy Exchange think tank promising to talk to supporters about “the real choice our country faces”.

He has said it is “great to be in the final two”, but is already turning toward how he will oppose Labour and Sir Keir Starmer as leader of the opposition.

Ignoring his rival Kemi Badenoch completely, he has said “our job is to send Keir Starmer packing”.

The right-winger has promised to be constructive where possible, but said Tories “must stand up for common sense for the British people on every issue”.

The Employment Rights Bill, which proposes to end zero-hour contracts and ban fire and rehire practices, will receive its second reading on 21 October, Commons Leader Lucy Powell announced.

Ms Powell also told MPs that the second reading of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill will take place on 15 October. This Bill will end the automatic right of hereditary peers to sit in the Lords.

The second reading of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, which aims to ensure premises and events are better prepared to respond to terrorist attacks, will take place on 14 October, Ms Powell said.

On 23 October, a motion to approve the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2024 and a motion to approve the Iran (Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 will be presented to the Commons.

The Tory leadership contender is preparing to address an audience at the Policy Exchange think tank.

His speech has the title: “The Choice We Face”.

Sadiq Khan has come under scrutiny regarding allegations that he sought a police escort for pop superstar Taylor Swift.

In a tense exchange during a City Hall debate, the Mayor of London denied the claims, adding he never interfered in “operational matters” concerning the police.

The questioning, led by his former Conservative rival Susan Hall, focused on whether Mr Khan had lobbied Scotland Yard for a special escort for the chart-topping singer.

Ms Hall pressed him to “categorically state” that he played no party in arranging the escort or influencing the Metropolitan Police’s decision.

Mr Khan responded by reiterating: “Operational matters are matters for the police, not matters for the Mayor.”