Robert Jenrick discusses Tory ties to Trump amid US election

Robert Jenrick, a frontrunner in the Conservative Party leadership contest, faced scrutiny regarding his past support for Donald Trump during an interview with Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC. He described the Conservative Party's historical ties to the Republican Party, suggesting it is natural for Conservatives to favor Republican candidates. Jenrick's comments were notably less supportive than his previous statement in August, where he expressed that he would vote for Trump if he were an American citizen. This interview occurred on the first day of the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, where leadership contenders were presenting their cases to party members. Jenrick emphasized the need for the party to address immigration issues and acknowledged failures that must be recognized while defending the government's successes. He expressed a desire to establish a clear plan for the party's future, particularly regarding immigration, to regain public trust and avoid internal conflicts.