1 week ago
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The fallout from Robert Jenrick’s abrupt and chaotic defection from the Conservatives to Reform UK on Thursday continued over the weekend, with the leaking of a memo prepared by his aides for how he should face the press after the event.
The six-page document coaches Jenrick on how to answer some potentially tricky questions. While it reflects the character of the man himself, it also somehow manages to channel the spirit of David Brent, the character created by Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais, and played by Gervais in the original UK version of The Office, which aired from 2001 to 2003.
With that in mind, your challenge is to decide whether the following nuggets of wisdom come from the office of a senior Conservative defector – or from the philosophical musings of the self-styled “friend first, boss second. Probably entertainer third” at Wernham Hogg in Slough.
Who said it: the Jenrick memo or David Brent?
- 1."Don't 'think'. You 'know' things to be true! Get out of the habit of saying 'think'"
- 2."That's the way – not orthodox, I don't live by 'the rules'"
- 3."Team playing? I call it team individuality"
- 4."Use humour – one of your best skills – don't be afraid to be self-effacing or have a laugh."
- 5."A philosopher once wrote you need three things to have a good life. And it was always that third one that stressed me, to make a difference. And I realise that I do."
- 6.Which of these is an accurate quote from either David Brent or the Robert Jenrick memo?
- 7."You're the new sheriff in town."
- 8."Trust people and they'll be true to you. Treat them greatly, and they will show themselves to be great."
- 9."Has a joint found its way into his usual pack of Marlboro Gold?"
- 10."I'm here to be part of the team"
- 11."I'd be lying if I said my life had turned out exactly as I'd expected"
- 12."[He] is a fraud. I’ve always thought so, this quote proves it."
- 13."Be demonstrative (in particular hands), slow down, use your vocal range and stress words"
- 14."If I crash land in the jungle can I survive by eating my own shoes?"
- 15."I don't look upon this like it's the end, I look upon it like it's moving on you know. It's almost like my work here's done."
- 16."You're the biggest defection story Reform has ever had (and likely ever will be), the most popular Tory shadow cabinet member, leader-in-waiting if Kemi ever falls, and the most dynamic politician in the Conservative party."
