Honest Bob Jenrick won’t sleep until everyone sees he’s the maddest person in the room | John Crace

The Tory leadership hopeful believes that if he shouts the same things a bit louder, everyone will eventually come round to his way of thinking

You can only conclude that some politicians are simply untreatable. Their egotism and self-delusion so deeply engrained that reality never gets a look in. I give you Robert Jenrick. Exhibit A. He is a worthy successor to Liz Truss as one of the dimmest solipsists you could hope to meet.

After trailing in a distant second in last week's televised Q&A, you'd have thought Honest Bob might have taken a day or two to regroup. After all, if the most Tory-friendly audience imaginable at GB News doesn't much like you then most people would reasonably conclude they had a problem. If you can't connect with the few remaining diehard Tory members, then your chances of appealing to the rest of the country are vanishingly small.

Taking the Lead by John Crace is published by Little, Brown (18.99). To support the Guardian and Observer, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.

A year in Westminster: John Crace, Marina Hyde and Pippa Crerar. On Tuesday 3 December, join Crace, Hyde and Crerar as they look back at a political year like no other, live at the Barbican in London and livestreamed globally. Book tickets here or at guardian.live.