News
October 08, 2025
Jenrick clearly still running leadership campaign, says Starmer
The prime minister waded into the row over Jenrick’s remarks on the lack of white faces in Birmingham hours before Kemi Badenoch’s conference speech
**Starmer Accuses Jenrick of Leadership Ambitions Amid Birmingham Race Row**
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has accused Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick of using controversial remarks about the lack of "white faces" in Birmingham to further his own leadership ambitions. The accusation comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak found himself drawn into the escalating row, just hours before Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch was slated to deliver a key speech at a Conservative Party conference.
The controversy erupted following comments made by Jenrick regarding urban planning and societal integration in Birmingham. His remarks, perceived by many as racially charged, ignited a firestorm of criticism from opposition parties and even some within his own party. Critics have argued that his comments were divisive and insensitive, particularly given the city's diverse population.
Starmer, seizing on the opportunity, suggested that Jenrick was deliberately courting controversy to raise his profile and appeal to a specific segment of the Conservative Party membership, hinting at a potential future leadership bid. "It's quite clear that Mr. Jenrick is still running a leadership campaign," Starmer stated, implying that the Housing Secretary was prioritizing personal ambition over responsible governance.
The timing of Sunak's intervention is particularly noteworthy. His decision to address the controversy directly, mere hours before Badenoch's highly anticipated conference speech, suggests the gravity of the situation and the potential for it to overshadow the party's agenda. Badenoch, often touted as a rising star within the Conservative Party, is expected to outline her vision for the future of British business and trade.
The incident has reignited the debate surrounding race and representation in British society, and has exposed deep divisions within the Conservative Party. Whether Jenrick's comments were a calculated move or a genuine misstep, they have undoubtedly sparked a significant political crisis that Prime Minister Sunak must now navigate carefully to maintain party unity and public trust. The unfolding situation will likely continue to dominate headlines and shape the narrative surrounding the Conservative Party for days to come.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has accused Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick of using controversial remarks about the lack of "white faces" in Birmingham to further his own leadership ambitions. The accusation comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak found himself drawn into the escalating row, just hours before Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch was slated to deliver a key speech at a Conservative Party conference.
The controversy erupted following comments made by Jenrick regarding urban planning and societal integration in Birmingham. His remarks, perceived by many as racially charged, ignited a firestorm of criticism from opposition parties and even some within his own party. Critics have argued that his comments were divisive and insensitive, particularly given the city's diverse population.
Starmer, seizing on the opportunity, suggested that Jenrick was deliberately courting controversy to raise his profile and appeal to a specific segment of the Conservative Party membership, hinting at a potential future leadership bid. "It's quite clear that Mr. Jenrick is still running a leadership campaign," Starmer stated, implying that the Housing Secretary was prioritizing personal ambition over responsible governance.
The timing of Sunak's intervention is particularly noteworthy. His decision to address the controversy directly, mere hours before Badenoch's highly anticipated conference speech, suggests the gravity of the situation and the potential for it to overshadow the party's agenda. Badenoch, often touted as a rising star within the Conservative Party, is expected to outline her vision for the future of British business and trade.
The incident has reignited the debate surrounding race and representation in British society, and has exposed deep divisions within the Conservative Party. Whether Jenrick's comments were a calculated move or a genuine misstep, they have undoubtedly sparked a significant political crisis that Prime Minister Sunak must now navigate carefully to maintain party unity and public trust. The unfolding situation will likely continue to dominate headlines and shape the narrative surrounding the Conservative Party for days to come.
Category:
Politics