Robert Jenrick’s leadership bid: Local Tories reacts

Tony Roberts, the president of the association, argues that the former cabinet minister has “really matured” as a politician.

Seen initially as an ally of David Cameron on the more “moderate” wing of the party when he became an MP in 2014, Jenrick has shifted to the right after quitting as immigration minster last year.

They accept that while his views might have changed over the years, his Conservative “values” are the same.

Tories here have fond memories of knocking on doors for Jenrick when he was first elected in a by-election a decade ago.

Sue Saddington, a local councillor, recalls having his campaign team over to her house for shepherd’s pie.

Now she is salivating again at the prospect of him becoming leader.

The local area “will really wake up to the fact that they have somebody of stature now in Newark,” she said.

“I think Newark will absolutely rejoice to it.”

It is a bold claim in a seat where more than 60% of voters backed other candidates in the July general election.

Jenrick’s majority was slashed from 22,000 to 3,500, with both Labour and Reform UK making huge gains at the election

He is now the only Conservative MP anywhere in Nottinghamshire or neighbouring Derbyshire.