Mark Spencer chosen as Conservative candidate for Newark

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 09:31 · Archive

Conservatives have selected Sir Mark Spencer as their candidate to contest Newark at the next general election, where he will face Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick.

The Conservatives have selected Sir Mark Spencer as their candidate for Newark at the next general election, following a meeting of local party members on Friday. Spencer was an MP for 14 years until losing his Sherwood seat to Labour in 2024, and previously served as a cabinet minister.

He will face Robert Jenrick, the incumbent Newark MP, who held the seat as a Conservative with a majority of 3,572 in 2024. Jenrick switched to Reform UK in January 2026 after being suspended by the Conservatives over plans to defect, and has said he intends to stand again for Reform in Newark.

The pair were constituency neighbours for a decade and both held ministerial positions, including in Boris Johnson's cabinet. Nottinghamshire Live reports that for many of Jenrick's Conservative colleagues, including Spencer, his shift to Reform caused genuine upset, with Spencer saying he no longer recognises his former colleague.

How it is being reported

• Tory selected to fight Reform and Robert JenrickConservatives have chosen Sir Mark Spencer to contest the constituency at the next General Election.BBC Nottingham · 14 Nov, 08:46
• Mark Spencer 'no longer recognises' former colleague Robert Jenrick as Newark election battle loomsThe former Sherwood MP will be the Conservative candidate in Newark at the next general electionNottinghamshire Live · 14 Nov, 08:21

In this story: Mark Spencer · Robert Jenrick · Newark · Conservative Party · Reform UK

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log