Jacob Rees-Mogg Describes Reality Show Involvement as a ‘Calculated Risk’

“I don’t want to be a celebrity,” asserted former Conservative MP Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg when asked about the decision by himself, his wife, and their six children to participate in “Meet the Rees-Moggs,” a Kardashian-esque reality series. He explained his reasoning, stating, “You have to be open if you’re a public figure and if you’re telling people to vote for you, you have to tell them who you are and what you’re about,” adding, “And, of course, I thought it would be fun.” Over his 14 years as an MP, the former minister became recognized as one of the most contentious politicians of recent times due to his firm viewpoints. These include complete opposition to abortion, even in instances of incest and rape, and the conviction that no climate change legislation should be enacted. Following the Grenfell Tower fire, which claimed 72 lives, Sir Jacob remarked that it would have been “common sense” for residents to evacuate the building, contrary to fire brigade advice. A survivors group characterized these comments as “extremely painful and insulting.” Sir Jacob later conveyed that he “profoundly apologised.” In 2017, former Conservative MP Matthew Parris commented that Sir Jacob possessed “perfumed manners, but his opinions are poison.” Sir Jacob, speaking from one of the numerous dining rooms in his London townhouse, responded, “If you ever say what you think in politics you’re immediately thought of as controversial.” When questioned about whether he enjoys provoking people, he admitted to “loving it,” further stating: “Some people are so easy to wind up that I’m afraid it does entertain me.” Currently, Sir Jacob, who also serves as a GB News presenter, expressed his hope that the reality show will offer him an additional platform to, in his words, “get the Conservative message out there.” The compensation he is receiving from Discovery+ for the documentary is not publicly known, but as his wife is the heiress to a reported £45 million fortune, financial gain does not appear to be a driving factor. This prompts inquiry into other potential motivations for the former banker’s involvement in the program. Is it part of a strategy to re-enter politics in the next election after he lost his seat in July? He appears to miss the activities of Westminster, confessing that he still adheres to his former MP schedule of returning to his old constituency every Thursday afternoon until Sunday. Nevertheless, he stated he has not planned that far ahead. He humorously suggested that participating in his family’s reality show is “better than going into the jungle” and affirmed he has no intentions of following in the footsteps of Nigel Farage and Matt Hancock, who appeared on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Simon Lewis, former Downing Street director of communications, believes Sir Jacob is “looking to reposition.” Mr. Lewis stated on the When It Hits the Fan podcast that Sir Jacob is “only 55 years old and he’s got time to have a second or third chapter doing something different.” Carol Midgley of the Times, in her three-star review, questioned the politician’s motivations for undertaking the show: “It’s not as if he needs… [the] money so why such a blatant PR push? Does he – shock, horror – want the public to love him because he is eyeing another series and a TV career beyond GB News?” Former journalist David Yelland noted the “very powerful about the mass market thinking they know you.” He cited examples such as President-elect Donald Trump, whose role on The Apprentice helped him gain the name recognition necessary for a presidential campaign, and Farage’s appearance on I’m a Celeb. Sir Jacob is married to Helena de Chair, and their six children, aged from 17 to seven, are all featured in the reality series. He described the family as “more Addams family than Keeping up with the Kardashians” and proceeded to sing the theme tune of the 1964 TV series: “They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky.” The Rees-Moggs’ lifestyle, as depicted, is indeed distinctive to the average observer. The show features the family engaging in black-tie dinners every Saturday, attending a birthday party at Boris Johnson’s house, and observing Sunday Mass in a private chapel on their Somerset estate. The family also employs staff who handle various tasks, from plumping pillows to folding the former minister’s underwear. A large, prominent portrait of Veronica, the family nanny who also cared for Sir Jacob during his childhood, is displayed in the hallway of the Rees-Moggs’ London home. At 81 years old, she manages a large household and three energetic young boys; she offered a smile when passed, then resumed organizing baskets of toys. Sir Jacob stated his acute awareness of the risks involved in inviting cameras into his home. “Reality programmes can be very unfavourable, so there was a risk involved in doing this but Helena and I agreed it was a sensible risk,” he explained. He further elaborated on the impact on his children: “By virtue of being called Rees-Mogg, my children can’t escape who they are and this has always had an effect on their life – they’ve grown up with people telling them ‘my parents don’t like your daddy’ and we decided that this show wouldn’t make that any better or worse.” He added that the children found it “rather exciting,” with his daughter Mary being the “most enthusiastic out of all of us.” “We have full throttle discussions about politics and religion as a family,” he mentioned. He joked, “In fact, one or two of them make me feel quite lefty,” but declined to provide further details. He also noted that not all dinner table conversations are serious, mentioning his recent efforts to learn “modern slang.” He recounted, “My daughter has been trying to teach me all of these words like rizz and wasteman which I now understand is not a dustman but rather a waste of space.” He then added gleefully, “And I’ve learnt that sick means good.” Critics are divided on the value of watching five hours of the former MP in his London townhouse and Somerset mansion. The Independent described the show as “toothless and vapid” in its two-star review, asserting that the documentary “fails to challenge him in any serious way, and is instead a portrait of a curious, attention-seeking family.” Nick Hilton wrote, “Those expecting a hate-watch will be disappointed; those expecting a political hagiography will find it vapid.” Joel Golby from the Guardian characterized the show as “impeccable reality TV” but questioned whether the ex-MP “should be allowed on our screens.” He labeled it “reputation management of the highest order,” criticizing the “softest editing” for inaccurately portraying Sir Jacob as a “harmless gosh-and-golly goof.” In her review for the Times, Midgley suggested that Sir Jacob might be employing a winning strategy, as “viewers do love to press their noses to the windows of the wealthy.” If Midgley’s assessment holds true, Sir Jacob’s “calculated risk” could prove successful.