Robert Jenrick, the Reform Treasury spokesman and former Conservative cabinet member, has ruled out any significant cuts to the welfare bill under a potential Prime Minister Andy Burnham, stating there is "not a cat in hell's chance" the Labour leader would take on backbenchers to find savings. Speaking at the British Chambers of Commerce conference in central London, Jenrick argued that Burnham would instead continue and escalate the harmful economic policies of the outgoing government, leading to higher taxes on individuals and businesses.
Jenrick Questions Burnham's Stance
When asked whether Burnham represented more of an electoral threat than outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Jenrick acknowledged Burnham as "a more human face than Keir Starmer" but expressed uncertainty about his current positions. "I don't, in honesty, know what he stands for today," Jenrick said, accusing Burnham of flip-flopping on many issues in recent months.
Jenrick predicted that if Burnham became prime minister, the harmful economic trends of the last two years would continue and escalate. He specifically doubted Burnham's willingness to take on Labour backbenchers to find tens of billions of pounds of savings from welfare, as Reform proposes. "Will Andy Burnham take on the backbenchers in his Labour Party and find tens of billions of pounds of savings from welfare as Reform will do? No, not a cat in hell's chance," Jenrick asserted.
Warning of Higher Taxes
The Reform Treasury spokesman warned that the consequence of failing to cut the welfare bill would be higher taxes on everyone. "So, what is the consequence of that? Higher taxes on each and every person in this room, and your businesses," he told the conference attendees.
Nigel Farage Donation Question
Separately, Jenrick addressed questions about a £5 million personal donation to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage from a cryptocurrency billionaire. While Jenrick said it was "legitimate" for the media to ask about the donation, he noted that not a single person had raised the issue with him while canvassing during local elections, by-elections, or in his own constituency. "It doesn't mean that it's not a legitimate question for the media to ask, but it is not one that, in my experience, is on the tip of the tongue of people across the country," Jenrick said.
He added that no donor influences Reform's agenda and that the party should have a policy on cryptocurrency as a growth opportunity. Jenrick also pointed out that Farage received the gift before becoming a member of parliament and that some politicians face severe security threats, making it right for him to protect himself.
