Tory selected to fight Reform and Robert Jenrick

The Conservatives have selected their candidate to take on Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick in the Newark constituency at the next General Election.

At a meeting on Friday, local party members chose Sir Mark Spencer to take on their former MP, who had held the seat as a Tory in 2024 with a majority of 3,572.

Spencer was the Sherwood MP for 14 years and a cabinet minister but lost his seat to Labour at the last General Election.

Jenrick had been Newark's MP as a Conservative from 2014, but he was suspended from the party over a plan to defect. He then joined Reform in January this year.

In a statement, the Newark Conservatives group said: "Local farmer and businessman Mark Spencer has been selected as the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Newark at the next General Election.

"A Nottinghamshire resident with strong local connections to Newark, Mark understands the challenges and opportunities facing our market town and surrounding villages.

"He will be a passionate voice for local residents, standing up for our communities, supporting local businesses and fighting for Newark's future."

Jenrick has previously said he intends to stand again in Newark for Reform.

A Reform UK spokesperson called Spencer "a failed career politician" who the Conservatives had "parachuted in".

They said: "He was kicked out of Parliament by his own voters and now wants to climb on the gravy train by using the people of Newark.

"Robert Jenrick is one of the most hardworking and effective MPs. Reform is the only party committed to an outright ban on solar farms on agricultural land and to building the A46 Newark bypass.

"Residents know Robert will also stand up for them locally and on the national stage."

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