Kmflett's Blog

Late November 2025. Robert Jenrick has lunch with the Financial Times ‘I’m not interested in what metropolitan elites think about me’

Robert Jenrick the Tory MP who has defected to Reform is noted for his hard to far right views but also for his use of the weight loss drug Ozempic.

Farage noted that he had lunch with Jenrick before Christmas. Also before Christmas Jenrick had lunch with the Financial Times (their regular Saturday series).

As is frequently the case with figures who the FT regards as being slightly dubious the full broadsheet page account of the lunch is caveated with various qualifying remarks about Jenrick. It notes that ‘its typical given his barely concealed leadership ambitions that he is quite happy trampling over other colleagues patches’.

Jenrick declares himself ‘unashamedly provincial’ and argues that issues with Britain are a result of decisions made by ‘both political parties’. Jenrick argues that ‘Reform is a symptom not a cause. It exists because the Conservatives Party failed’. The FT notes ‘Jenrick denies that he has been speaking to Farage’. ‘I’m a Conservative’ declares Jenrick but goes on ‘the country needs a reforming Government…’

Jenrick goes on to say ‘that I’m not particularly interested in what metropolitan elites think about me’ which leaves the FT to ponder why in that case he accepted an invitation to have lunch.

Farage’s trademark is the Proper Fucking Lunch (PFL). This involves several pints of beer, a starter, a meat focused main course, at least one bottle of wine, and several glasses of port.

Jenrick at least at the end of November was not quite up to a PFL. There were several pints of beer, but no wine or port. Farage has been known to eat fish so the fish and chips are PFL Ok. The Sticky Toffee Pudding desert is arguably a balance to the lack of a starter.

Jenrick tells the FT that he likes eating pizza and Chinese take aways and keeps the weight down by running and boxing at an East London Club (Bethnal Green being likely)

Jenrick has work to do to reach PFL class but now he is a Reform MP he will presumably follow Farage’s example more closely