In a move that could tighten the race for the Conservative Party’s top job, Katie Lam, MP for Weald of Kent announced she is backing Robert Jenrick on September 5, 2024.
The endorsement was delivered from Sevenoaks Town Hall in Kent at 11:30 a.m. BST, just a day after Jenrick topped the first round of MP votes with 37 % support. Lam said the surprise win proved he has the momentum to “unite the party and win back the trust of the British people.”
Background: How the leadership contest unfolded
The leadership election was triggered on July 5, 2024 when Rishi Sunak announced his resignation after the Conservatives’ historic defeat in the general election (121 seats versus Labour’s 411). The 1922 Committee, chaired by Graham Brady, set the timetable: nominations opened July 24, the first ballot took place on September 4, and the final two candidates will face the party’s 172,345 members in a postal vote closing on October 28, with the winner declared on November 2.
Six hopefuls entered the race: Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel, Mel Stride and Tom Tugendhat. To stay on the ballot each candidate needed the backing of ten Conservative MPs – a proposer and a seconder included – plus a minimum of 30 votes in round one, rising to 40 in round two and 50 in round three.
Lam’s endorsement: Why she chose Jenrick
During the press conference Lam explained she was approached by teams representing both Badenoch and Cleverly, but Jenrick’s “vision aligns most closely with the concerns of my constituents in Weald of Kent, particularly regarding uncontrolled immigration and the need for stronger border controls.” She added, “His decisive victory in the first round proves he has the momentum to unite our party and win back the trust of the British people.”
Jenrick, the former Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (2019‑2021) and ex‑Immigration Minister (2022‑2023), has built his campaign around stricter immigration rules, a points‑based system with higher salary thresholds, and even a proposal to scrap the Eurotunnel shuttle service.
Lam’s support pushes Jenrick’s endorsement list to 28 MPs – 19 sitting and nine former colleagues who lost their seats in the October election. Notable names include former Morley and Outwood MP Andrea Jenkyns, ex‑Rushcliffe MP Ruth Edwards, and former Harlow MP Robert Halfon.
Reactions from the Tory camp and beyond
James Cleverly’s camp dismissed the endorsement as “a regional nod that won’t change the mathematics,” while Kemi Badenoch’s team warned that “the race is far from over, and policy depth will win the day.”
Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott publicly praised Jenrick, describing his stance on borders as “the kind of firm leadership the UK needs.” By contrast, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a backer of Badenoch, posted a tweet urging “real reform, not just rhetoric.”
Inside Westminster, former Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell cautioned, “It is far too soon for Tory MPs to be plotting. We lost, we were obliterated. This is our time of humility to earn our way back.”
What this means for the leadership race
With Jenrick now supported by 28 MPs, his odds of surviving the next ballot on September 10 look strong. Polls suggest Mel Stride may be the next to fall, hovering around 12 % support. The key threshold for the second round is 40 votes – a figure Jenrick is on track to meet given his current backing.
Fundraising numbers add another layer. Jenrick’s campaign reported raising £317,500 by September 3, well above the £250,000 required by September 15 to stay in the contest. Nearly four‑fifths of the money came from individual donors, the rest from business contributions.
If Jenrick reaches the final two, the party’s membership – still reeling from a drop from 200,000 members in 2019 to 172,345 in August 2024 – will decide the outcome. Analysts warn that a candidate seen as too hard‑line on immigration could struggle to energise the dwindling grassroots, while a moderate platform might win over the rank‑and‑file but alienate the right‑wing base.
Next steps and timeline
- September 10 – second‑round voting; likely elimination of Mel Stride.
- Early October – possible third round, narrowing the field to two.
- October 28 – members’ postal ballot closes.
- November 2 – winner announced, new party leader (and likely Prime Minister) takes office.
Historical context: How we got here
The 2024 general election was the worst for the Conservatives since the party’s founding in 1834. Losing 121 seats, they faced internal turmoil that saw a rapid succession of leadership contenders. The 1922 Committee’s rules, first codified after the 1995 leadership crisis, now dictate a measured elimination process to prevent a chaotic scramble.
Robert Jenrick’s political journey began in 2014 when he won the Newark seat, later serving as PPS to Prime Minister David Cameron and as Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury. His reputation as a “policy wonk” with a flair for bold headlines – like the Eurotunnel proposal – has made him both a crowd‑pleaser and a lightning rod.
Lam’s rise is also noteworthy. First elected in 2019, she survived the 2024 wave that swept many newcomers out of Westminster, positioning herself as a steady voice for rural Kent. Her endorsement signals that even newer MPs are playing king‑maker roles in the party’s future.
Key Facts
- Date of endorsement: September 5, 2024
- Location: Sevenoaks Town Hall, Kent
- First‑round MP vote result for Jenrick: 37 % (top of six candidates)
- Total endorsements for Jenrick after Lam’s statement: 28 MPs (19 sitting, 9 former)
- Conservative Party membership (August 31, 2024): 172,345
- Funds raised by Jenrick’s campaign (as of Sep 3): £317,500
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Katie Lam’s endorsement matter?
Lam represents the rural constituency of Weald of Kent, a key battleground for Brexit‑aligned voters. Her support signals that Jenrick’s hard‑line immigration stance resonates with grassroots MPs, potentially swaying undecided colleagues ahead of the September 10 ballot.
What are the next milestones in the Tory leadership race?
MPs will vote again on September 10, likely eliminating Mel Stride. A third round in early October will narrow the field to two, after which the party’s 172,345 members will cast postal ballots until October 28. The winner is expected to be announced on November 2.
How does Jenrick’s fundraising compare to his rivals?
Jenrick has raised £317,500, comfortably clearing the £250,000 threshold. By contrast, Kemi Badenoch’s campaign reported £210,000 as of early September, meaning she must accelerate donor outreach to stay viable for later rounds.
What impact could Jenrick’s leadership have on UK immigration policy?
If elected, Jenrick has pledged to raise salary thresholds in the points‑based system and to consider scrapping the Eurotunnel shuttle service. Such moves would likely tighten the UK’s labour market entry routes and could spark legal challenges from EU partners.
How does the current membership size affect the final outcome?
With membership down to 172,345, each vote carries more weight. Candidates will need to mobilise not just MPs but also a dwindling base, meaning a clear, populist message could dominate the final ballot, especially on hot‑button issues like borders and the economy.
