:Jacob Rees-Mogg

Rees-Mogg was born in Hammersmith, London, on 24 May 1969, the younger son of William Rees-Mogg (1928–2012), who was editor of The Times newspaper and was made a life peer in 1988, and his wife Gillian Shakespeare Morris, formerly his secretary, daughter of Thomas Richard Morris, a lorry driver, car salesman, local government politician, and Conservative mayor of St Pancras in London. He is a descendant of the Rees-Mogg family of Cholwell, Cameley.[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/22/jacob-rees-mogg-roots-conservative-mp Rees-Mogg's roots tell a true Conservative tale – just not the one he wants us to hear] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122173543/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/22/jacob-rees-mogg-roots-conservative-mp |date=22 January 2022}}, The Guardian, Ian Jack, 22 January 2022, accessed 22 January 2022 He is one of five children, having three elder siblings, Emma Beatrice Rees-Mogg (born 1962),Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, US: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003. Charlotte Louise Rees-Mogg (born 1964) and Thomas Fletcher Rees-Mogg (born 1966), and one younger sister, Annunziata Mary Rees-Mogg (born 1979).{{Cite book |title=Debrett's Peerage & Baronetage 2008 |editor-last=Kidd |editor-first=Charles |pages=1, 188}}

In 1964 the family purchased Ston Easton Park, a country house near the village of Ston Easton in Somerset, where Rees-Mogg grew up attending weekly mass and Sunday school at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Ghost, Midsomer Norton.{{Cite news |last=Teahan |first=Madeleine |date=2 August 2013 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: 'I think Mass can be too noisy and guitars should be banned' |work=The Catholic Herald |url=http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/08/02/jacob-rees-mogg-i-think-mass-can-be-too-noisy-and-guitars-should-be-banned/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906013930/http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/08/02/jacob-rees-mogg-i-think-mass-can-be-too-noisy-and-guitars-should-be-banned/ |archive-date=6 September 2017}} He started catechism in 1975 here under his governess and attended ordinary form mass.{{Cite news |last=Teahan |first=Madeleine |date=2 February 2017 |title=PODCAST: Jacob Rees-Mogg goes on retreat |work=The Catholic Herald |url=http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2017/02/02/podcast-jacob-rees-mogg-goes-on-retreat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904201914/http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2017/02/02/podcast-jacob-rees-mogg-goes-on-retreat/ |archive-date=4 September 2017}} A few years later, in 1978, the family moved to the nearby village of Hinton Blewett where they purchased The Old Rectory, a Grade II listed former rectory.{{cite web |last=Steeples |first=Matthew |date=24 October 2016 |title=The House of Mogg |url=http://thesteepletimes.com/opulence-splendour/the-house-of-mogg/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201020110/http://thesteepletimes.com/opulence-splendour/the-house-of-mogg/ |archive-date=1 February 2018 |access-date=31 January 2017 |website=The Steeple Times}} Living in Somerset, he regularly travelled to his family's second home in Smith Square, London, where he attended prep school at the private Westminster Under School.{{cite web |last=Wilson |first=Rob |date=9 July 2012 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: a Boris in the making? |url=https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/interview/jacob-rees-mogg-boris-making |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904201115/https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/interview/jacob-rees-mogg-boris-making |archive-date=4 September 2017 |access-date=2 September 2017 |website=Total Politics}}{{cite web |title=The polite extremist: Jacob Rees-Mogg's seemingly unstoppable rise |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2018/02/polite-extremist-jacob-rees-mogg-s-seemingly-unstoppable-rise?page=46 |access-date=30 May 2018 |website=www.newstatesman.com |date=20 February 2018 |archive-date=13 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913120150/https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2018/02/polite-extremist-jacob-rees-mogg-s-seemingly-unstoppable-rise?page=46 |url-status=live}}

Growing up, Rees-Mogg was primarily raised by the family's nanny Veronica Crook, whom he describes as a formative figure.{{Cite news |last=Rees-Mogg |first=Jacob |date=14 March 2014 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: My nanny made me the man I am |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/10698217/Jacob-Rees-Mogg-My-nanny-made-me-the-man-I-am.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319002758/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/10698217/Jacob-Rees-Mogg-My-nanny-made-me-the-man-I-am.html |archive-date=19 March 2017}} Crook came to work for the family in 1965 to look after Rees-Mogg's older siblings, and later looked after Rees-Mogg's own children; in 2021 she had worked for the family for 56 years.{{Cite news |last=Horton |first=Helena |date=21 July 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: I have six children but have never changed a nappy |website=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/21/jacob-rees-mogg-have-six-children-have-never-changed-nappy/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=9 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908004756/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/21/jacob-rees-mogg-have-six-children-have-never-changed-nappy/ |archive-date=8 September 2017}}{{Cite news |last=Silverman |first=Rosa |date=1 September 2021 |title=When it's time for a nanny to say goodbye |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/time-nanny-say-goodbye/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122154802/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/time-nanny-say-goodbye/ |archive-date=22 January 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Horton |first=Helena |date=15 August 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg puts nanny front and centre in family photograph |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/15/jacob-rees-mogg-puts-nanny-front-centre-family-photograph/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/15/jacob-rees-mogg-puts-nanny-front-centre-family-photograph/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}

At age nine he made his first will and testament,{{Citation |title=Jacob, 12 ans, trader et fan de Thatcher {{!}} Archive INA | date=6 September 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bp0Szk19J8 |access-date=20 July 2023}} and at thirteen he opened a Coutts bank account. When Rees-Mogg was ten, he was left £50 by a distant cousin, and his father, on his behalf, invested in shares in the now-defunct General Electric Company (GEC). Rees-Mogg said this event was the beginning of his interest in stock markets. Having learned how to read company reports and balance sheets, he later attended a shareholders' meeting at GEC, where he voted against a motion because dividends were too low. He subsequently invested in London-based conglomerate Lonrho, eventually owning 340 shares, and reportedly caused the company's chairman Lord Duncan-Sandys "discomfort" by quizzing him at an annual general meeting on the low dividends offered to shareholders. In 1981, at a shareholders' meeting of GEC, in which he owned 175 shares at the time, he told the chairman Lord Nelson that the dividend on offer was "pathetic", sparking amusement among board members and the media.{{Cite news |last=Woods |first=Vicki |date=1985 |title=Ever wondered what Jacob Rees-Mogg was like as a teenager? |work=Tatler |url=http://www.tatler.com/article/jacob-rees-mogg-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904204054/http://www.tatler.com/article/jacob-rees-mogg-interview |archive-date=4 September 2017}}

After prep school, Rees-Mogg entered Eton College, where he was described in a school report as a "particularly dogmatic" Thatcherite.{{cite web |last=Wilson |first=Rob |date=9 July 2012 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: a Boris in the making? |url=https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/interview/jacob-rees-mogg-boris-making |access-date=12 March 2019 |website=Total Politics |publisher=Dods Group plc |archive-date=4 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904201115/https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/interview/jacob-rees-mogg-boris-making |url-status=live}} Upon leaving Eton, he had his portrait painted by Paul Brason,{{Cite web |last=Brason |first=Paul |date= |title=The Hon. Jacob Rees-Mogg, Eton Leaving Portrait – 1990 |url=https://www.paulbrason.co.uk/Portraits1981-1991/TheHonJacobRees-Mogg.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010315024056/https://www.paulbrason.co.uk/Portraits1981-1991/TheHonJacobRees-Mogg.htm |archive-date=15 March 2001 |access-date=24 October 2023 |website=Paul Brason RP}} a member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, for the Eton College Collections,{{Cite web |last=Eton College |year=2010 |title=Jacob W. Rees-Mogg |url=https://catalogue.etoncollege.com/object-fda-p-127-2010 |access-date=24 October 2023 |website=Eton College Collections Online Catalogue}} which was later put on display during the Faces of 1993 Royal Society of Portrait Painters exhibition.{{Cite news |date=12 May 1993 |orig-date=11 May 1993 (date on archived page) |title=Faces of 1993 go on show at Royal Society of Portrait Painters' annual exhibition |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/faces-of-1993-go-on-show-at-royal-society-of-portrait-painters-annual-exhibition-2322303.html |url-status=live |access-date=24 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904202338/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/faces-of-1993-go-on-show-at-royal-society-of-portrait-painters-annual-exhibition-2322303.html |archive-date=4 September 2017}}

Rees-Mogg read history at the University of Oxford as an undergraduate student at Trinity College, Oxford, where he graduated with an upper second-class honours degree in 1991.{{Cite news |last=Adams |first=Guy |date=19 October 2006 |title=Rees-Mogg: First family of fogeys |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reesmogg-first-family-of-fogeys-420663.html |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119204854/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reesmogg-first-family-of-fogeys-420663.html |archive-date=19 November 2014}}{{Cite news |title=Vote 2001 – Candidate: Jacob Rees-Mogg |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/candidates/candidates/2/25304.stm |url-status=live |access-date=17 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040512211559/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/candidates/candidates/2/25304.stm |archive-date=12 May 2004}} Almost immediately after arriving in 1988, he was nominated by Cherwell for the title of "Pushy Fresher", printing a photograph of open-mouthed Rees-Mogg in a suit with the caption "What more need we say?".{{Cite news |last=Kuper |first=Simon |date=20 June 2019 |title=How Oxford university shaped Brexit — and Britain's next prime minister |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/85fc694c-9222-11e9-b7ea-60e35ef678d2 |url-access=subscription |access-date=21 June 2019 |archive-date=21 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621101919/https://www.ft.com/content/85fc694c-9222-11e9-b7ea-60e35ef678d2 |url-status=live}} While at Oxford, he became president of the Oxford University Conservative Association with what Cherwell described as a "campaign for world domination and social adequacy". Rees-Mogg was a member and frequent debater at the Oxford Union and elected Librarian, but Damian Hinds defeated him for president of the Union.{{Cite news |last=Dennis |first=Charlie |date=21 October 2013 |title=This House believes that the EU is a threat to democracy |work=Oxford Student |url=http://oxfordstudent.com/2013/10/31/this-house-believes-that-the-eu-is-a-threat-to-democracy/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601003803/http://oxfordstudent.com/2013/10/31/this-house-believes-that-the-eu-is-a-threat-to-democracy/ |archive-date=1 June 2015}}{{Cite news |last=Fraser |first=Rory |date=2 November 2015 |title=Interview: Jacob-Rees Mogg |work=Cherwell |url=http://www.cherwell.org/2015/11/02/interview-jacobrees-mogg/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720150739/http://www.cherwell.org/2015/11/02/interview-jacobrees-mogg/ |archive-date=20 July 2017}}{{r|kuper20190620}} Reflecting on his time at university, Rees-Mogg regretted not having studied Classics.{{Cite news |last=Newark |first=Tim |date=13 August 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg, an English Trump but better at Latin |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/rees-mogg-an-english-trump-but-better-at-latin-mdm82q87j |access-date=14 May 2021 |website=The Times |archive-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514062435/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rees-mogg-an-english-trump-but-better-at-latin-mdm82q87j |url-status=live}}

After graduating from Oxford in 1991, Rees-Mogg worked for J Rothschild Investment Management under Nils Taube before moving to Hong Kong in 1993{{Cite news |last=Livsey |first=Alan |date=16 October 2017 |title=Brexiter Jacob Rees-Mogg's lacklustre record as a fund manager |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/d9f42362-aea0-11e7-beba-5521c713abf4 |url-status=live |access-date=21 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021220754/https://www.ft.com/content/d9f42362-aea0-11e7-beba-5521c713abf4 |archive-date=21 October 2017}} to join Lloyd George Management.{{Cite news |last=Cumming |first=Shaun |title=Jet-set team on the hunt for income |work=Fund Strategy |publisher=Centaur Media |url=http://www.fundweb.co.uk/fund-strategy/issues/9-january-2012/jet-set-team-on-the-hunt-for-income/1043942.article |url-status=dead |access-date=15 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907142838/http://www.fundweb.co.uk/fund-strategy/issues/9-january-2012/jet-set-team-on-the-hunt-for-income/1043942.article |archive-date=7 September 2014}}{{Cite news |last=Mason |first=Rowena |date=14 August 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: the Brexit-loving right's answer to Corbyn? |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/aug/14/jacob-rees-mogg-the-brexit-loving-rights-answer-to-corbyn |url-status=live |access-date=2 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902005656/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/aug/14/jacob-rees-mogg-the-brexit-loving-rights-answer-to-corbyn |archive-date=2 September 2017}} During his tenure in Hong Kong, he became a close friend of its Governor Chris Patten and was a regular at Government House. Three years later, he returned to London and was put in charge of some of the firm's emerging markets funds. By 2003, he was managing a newly established Lloyd George Emerging Markets Fund.{{cite web |date=2 January 2003 |title=Rees-Mogg to run Lloyd George emerging fund |url=https://www.professionaladviser.com/international-investment/news/1329428/rees-mogg-run-lloyd-george-emerging-fund |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204161611/https://www.professionaladviser.com/international-investment/news/1329428/rees-mogg-run-lloyd-george-emerging-fund |archive-date=4 February 2018 |access-date=21 October 2017 |website=Professional Adviser}} In 2007, Rees-Mogg left the company with a number of colleagues to set up their own fund management firm, Somerset Capital Management,{{cite web |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg |url=http://www.trustnet.com/Managers/ManagerFactsheet.aspx?personCode=00000MOG01&univ=O |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129041814/http://www.trustnet.com/Managers/ManagerFactsheet.aspx?personCode=00000MOG01&univ=O |archive-date=29 November 2014 |access-date=15 January 2013 |publisher=Trustnet}} with the aid of hedge fund manager Crispin Odey. Following Rees-Mogg's election as a Member of Parliament, he stepped down as chief executive of the company; however, he continues to receive income in his capacity as a partner.

In 2018, Somerset Capital opened an investment fund in Dublin in order to be legally able to continue to have European retail investors after Brexit. The new business prospectus listed Brexit as one of the risks, as it could cause "considerable uncertainty". Rees-Mogg, who remains a partner of the business but does not manage the funds nor make investment decisions, stated: "The decision to launch the fund was nothing whatsoever to do with Brexit."{{Cite news |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg defends Ireland move by firm he co-founded amid warnings over Brexit |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-jacob-rees-mogg-scm-ireland-city-move-eu-withdrawal-dublin-a8398041.html |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=15 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615174959/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-jacob-rees-mogg-scm-ireland-city-move-eu-withdrawal-dublin-a8398041.html |url-status=live}}

Rees-Mogg's wealth has been estimated to be in excess of £100 million when combined with his wife's expected inheritance, which, according to The Guardian, has left him open to the criticism that he cannot understand the lives and concerns of many ordinary people.{{Cite news |last=Oldroyd-Bolt |first=David |date=3 November 2016 |title=The many, many millions of Mogg |work=Spectator Life |location=London |url=https://life.spectator.co.uk/2016/11/many-many-millions-mogg/ |access-date=4 February 2018 |quote=When Helena comes into her inheritance, the Rees-Moggs' net worth will be in excess of £100,000,000, and possibly as high as £150,000,000. Meanwhile, though he is no longer actively involved in the investment side of SCM (Dominic Johnson took over from him as chief executive in 2010) Rees-Mogg still receives an average amount of £11,730 a month in his capacity as a partner, which together which his MP's salary gives him an income of at least £216,000 per annum. |archive-date=4 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904204458/https://life.spectator.co.uk/2016/11/many-many-millions-mogg/ |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Garside |first1=Juliette |last2=Osborne |first2=Hilary |last3=MacAskill |first3=Ewen |date=9 November 2017 |title=The Brexiters who put their money offshore |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/nov/09/brexiters-put-money-offshore-tax-haven |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110004838/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/nov/09/brexiters-put-money-offshore-tax-haven |archive-date=10 November 2017 |access-date=25 January 2018 |website=The Guardian}} When interviewed by Channel 4 in March 2019, Rees-Mogg declined to answer suggestions that their calculations showed that he could have earned £7 million in the period since the referendum.{{Cite news |date=11 March 2019 |title=Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg is estimated to have earned £7m from investments since the referendum according to investigation by Channel 4 Dispatches |work=Channel 4 |url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/brexiteer-jacob-rees-mogg-estimated-have-earnt-ps7m-investments-referendum-according |access-date=15 May 2019 |archive-date=13 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413171644/https://www.channel4.com/press/news/brexiteer-jacob-rees-mogg-estimated-have-earnt-ps7m-investments-referendum-according |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Eddie Bingham & Dan Bloom |date=11 March 2019 |title=Expert claims Brexit is helping MP Jacob Rees-Mogg make millions |work=Somersetlive |url=https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/expert-claims-brexit-helping-mp-2634297 |access-date=15 May 2019 |archive-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122022428/https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/expert-claims-brexit-helping-mp-2634297 |url-status=live}} In July 2019, Rees-Mogg resigned from his part-time role at Somerset Capital Management following his appointment as Leader of the House of Commons.{{cite web |last=Amos |first=Robin |date=25 July 2019 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg quits £5.5bn fund boutique for cabinet post |url=https://citywire.co.uk/wealth-manager/news/jacob-rees-mogg-quits-5-5bn-fund-boutique-for-cabinet-post/a1253334 |access-date=12 August 2019 |website=citywire.co.uk |archive-date=12 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812025708/https://citywire.co.uk/wealth-manager/news/jacob-rees-mogg-quits-5-5bn-fund-boutique-for-cabinet-post/a1253334 |url-status=live}}

Rees-Mogg first entered politics at the 1997 general election at which, aged 27, he was selected as the Conservative Party candidate for Central Fife, a traditional Labour seat in Scotland. With an upper-class background on his father's side set against a predominantly working-class electorate, and having been described as being "so posh, it's as if he has been transported in time from a previous century",{{cite web |title=The Prime Minister for the 18th Century – Platinum Publishing Group |url=https://www.platinumpublishing.co.uk/platinum-business-magazine/2018/10/the-prime-minister-for-the-18th-century/ |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=www.platinumpublishing.co.uk |date=10 November 2018 |archive-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122022433/https://www.platinummediagroup.co.uk/platinum-business-magazine/2018/10/the-prime-minister-for-the-18th-century/ |url-status=live}} he caused some bewilderment among locals by canvassing the area with his family's nanny and touring the constituency in a Bentley, a claim that he later described as "scurrilous", stating it had been a Mercedes.{{Cite news |last=Woods |first=Judith |date=18 June 2013 |title=I will never be a phoney man of the people |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/10125164/I-will-never-be-a-phoney-man-of-the-people.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=4 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621073627/http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/news/features/10125164/I-will-never-be-a-phoney-man-of-the-people.html |archive-date=21 June 2013}} With a name recognition of less than 2%,{{Cite news |last=Fraser |first=Douglas |date=17 April 1997 |title=Election '97 : Old Etonian finds Fife a school of hard knocks |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/election-97-old-etonian-finds-fife-a-school-of-hard-knocks-1267755.html |url-status=live |access-date=5 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905184044/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/election-97-old-etonian-finds-fife-a-school-of-hard-knocks-1267755.html |archive-date=5 September 2017}} Rees-Mogg received 9% of the votes cast, a figure much lower than that of previous Conservative Party candidates for the area. However, no new Conservative MPs were elected in Scotland that year; the Conservative Party suffered its worst electoral defeat since 1906, and lost all its seats in Scotland.

In 1999, when it was being rumoured that his "anachronistically posh" accent was working against his chances of being selected for a safe Conservative seat, Rees-Mogg was defended by letter writers to The Daily Telegraph, one of whom claimed that "an overt form of intimidation exists, directed against anyone who dares to eschew the current, Americanised, mode of behaviour, speech and dress".{{Cite news |last=Mullen |first=John |date=18 June 1999 |title=Lost voices |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/1999/jun/18/features11.g22 |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508034936/http://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/1999/jun/18/features11.g22 |archive-date=8 May 2014}} Rees-Mogg himself stated (in The Sunday Times, 23 May 1999) that "it is rather pathetic to fuss about accents too much", though he then went on to say that "John Prescott's accent certainly stereotypes him as an oaf", a comment which he later said he regretted and for which he apologised.BBC One (20 November 2015). Have I Got A Bit More News For You. S50E07. Rees-Mogg: "... if Lord Prescott is watching, may I apologise ... because I think it was a rude thing to have said and I regret having said that." He later said: "I gradually realised that whatever I happened to be speaking about, the number of voters in my favour dropped as soon as I opened my mouth."{{Cite news |last=Jack |first=Ian |author-link=Ian Jack |date=24 April 2010 |title=In pursuit of Somerset royalty in the hyper-marginal hinterland |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/apr/24/somerset-jacob-rees-mogg-conservatives |access-date=27 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194852/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/apr/24/somerset-jacob-rees-mogg-conservatives |archive-date=29 October 2013}}

Rees-Mogg was selected as the Conservative candidate for The Wrekin in Shropshire for the 2001 general election, but lost to the sitting Labour MP Peter Bradley.{{Cite news |title=Election 2010: The Wrekin |work=Shropshire Star |url=http://www.shropshirestar.com/election-2010-telford/election-2010-the-wrekin/ |url-status=dead |access-date=25 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001222335/http://www.shropshirestar.com/election-2010-telford/election-2010-the-wrekin/ |archive-date=1 October 2013}} In 2004, Rees-Mogg sought to be a parliamentary candidate in Kensington and Chelsea for the 2005 general election.{{cite web|title=The Independent from London, Greater London, England on January 22, 2004 · Page 24|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/722247722/|author=|date=|website=newspapers.com}} However, he didn't get shortlisted.{{cite web|title=The Daily Telegraph from London, Greater London, England on March 3, 2004 · Page 25|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/752664591/|author=|date=|website=newspapers.com}} Later that year, he sought to be a candidate in Surrey Heath.{{cite web|title=Sunday Telegraph from London, Greater London, England on June 27, 2004 · Page 8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/752438541/|author=|date=|website=newspapers.com}} He was shortlisted for the seat.{{cite web|title=The Independent from London, Greater London, England on June 29, 2004 · Page 20|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/722262183/|author=|date=|website=newspapers.com}} However, Michael Gove was selected instead.{{cite web|title=Evening Standard from London, Greater London, England on July 6, 2004 · Page 16|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/725982186/|author=|date=|website=newspapers.com}}{{cite web|title=The Independent from London, Greater London, England on July 6, 2004 · Page 16|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/722262822/|author=|date=|website=newspapers.com}} From 2005 to 2008, he was the elected Chairman of the Cities of London and Westminster Conservative Association.{{Cite news |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg MP |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/representatives/profiles/42117.stm |url-status=dead |access-date=25 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307232153/http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/representatives/profiles/42117.stm |archive-date=7 March 2013}}

File:Jacobreesmogg.JPG

In 2006, Rees-Mogg criticised efforts by then-Leader of the Conservative Party David Cameron to increase the representation of ethnic minorities on the party candidate list, arguing that fulfilling quotas can often "make it harder for the intellectually able" and that "Ninety-five per cent of this country is White. The list can't be totally different from the country at large."{{Cite news |date=4 October 2006 |title=State school pupils are 'potted plants', says Tory |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/state-school-pupils-are-potted-plants-says-tory-418767.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909233925/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/state-school-pupils-are-potted-plants-says-tory-418767.html |archive-date=9 September 2017}}

In March 2009, Rees-Mogg was forced to apologise to Trevor Kavanagh, the then political editor of The Sun, after it was shown that a newsletter signed by Rees-Mogg had plagiarised sections of a Kavanagh article that had appeared in the newspaper over a month earlier.{{Cite news |last=Savill |first=Richard |date=5 March 2009 |title=Tory candidate apologises over Sun plagiarism row |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/4943713/Tory-candidate-apologises-over-Sun-plagiarism-row.html |url-status=dead |access-date=5 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310091259/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/4943713/Tory-candidate-apologises-over-Sun-plagiarism-row.html |archive-date=10 March 2009}}

In December 2009, a pamphlet which purported to show him talking to a local constituent and calling on the government to "show more honesty" was criticised after it emerged that the "constituent" was a London-based employee of his investment firm.{{Cite news |date=29 December 2009 |title=Conservatives' Jacob Rees-Mogg accused of using employee to pose as constituent |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/6901296/Conservatives-Jacob-Rees-Mogg-accused-of-using-employee-to-pose-as-constituent.html |url-status=live |access-date=1 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128140525/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/6901296/Conservatives-Jacob-Rees-Mogg-accused-of-using-employee-to-pose-as-constituent.html |archive-date=28 January 2015}}

He was one of the directors of the Catholic Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth in London who were ordered to resign by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor in February 2008, after protracted arguments over the adoption of a tighter ethical code banning non-Catholic practices such as abortions and gender reassignment surgery at the hospital.{{Cite news |last=Butt |first=Riazat |date=22 February 2008 |title=Archbishop orders Catholic hospital board to resign in ethics dispute |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/feb/22/catholicism.health |url-status=live |access-date=23 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901181655/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/feb/22/catholicism.health |archive-date=1 September 2013}}

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Rees-Mogg was described by Camilla Long in a profile in The Sunday Times as "David Cameron's worst nightmare" during the 2010 general election campaign.{{Cite news |last=Long |first=Camilla |date=11 April 2010 |title=Maybe he's canvassing in the King of Spain's private loo |work=The Sunday Times |url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/Election/article258682.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=8 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402114148/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/Election/article258682.ece |archive-date=2 April 2015}} At that election, Rees-Mogg became the new Member of Parliament for the new North East Somerset constituency, winning a majority of 4,914 votes.{{Cite news |date=7 May 2010 |title=Election 2010 – Somerset North East |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/constituency/d20.stm |access-date=17 May 2010 |archive-date=28 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328141033/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/constituency/d20.stm |url-status=live}} His sister, journalist Annunziata Rees-Mogg, stood simultaneously in neighbouring Somerton and Frome, but failed by 1,817 votes to win her seat.{{Cite news |title=Somerton & Frome |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/constituency/e07.stm |access-date=3 October 2013 |archive-date=5 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905002847/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/constituency/e07.stm |url-status=live}} In The Guardian, Ian Jack had claimed that the selection of two such highly privileged candidates had damaged the Conservative Party's message of social inclusion.

In 2010 the ConservativeHome blog rated Rees-Mogg as one of the Conservatives' most rebellious MPs.{{cite web |last=Isaby, Jonathan |date=15 December 2010 |title=Philip Hollobone continues to top the league table of backbench rebels |url=http://conservativehome.blogs.com/parliament/2010/12/the-latest-league-table-of-tory-backbench-rebellion.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307230411/http://conservativehome.blogs.com/parliament/2010/12/the-latest-league-table-of-tory-backbench-rebellion.html |archive-date=7 March 2013 |publisher=ConservativeHome}} He later voted against the government whip on the Fixed-term Parliaments Bill, the October 2011 European Union Referendum Motion and the House of Lords Reform Bill 2012.{{cite web |title=Voting Record — Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, North East Somerset (24926) |url=http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?mpn=Jacob_Rees-Mogg&mpc=North_East_Somerset&house=commons |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326083305/http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?mpn=Jacob_Rees-Mogg&mpc=North_East_Somerset&house=commons |archive-date=26 March 2012 |access-date=15 July 2012 |website=The Public Whip |publisher=Bairwell}}

In the House of Commons, Rees-Mogg gained a reputation for his humorous speeches and ability to filibuster.{{Cite news |last=Wright |first=Oliver |date=6 January 2013 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: 'I'm suspicious of politicians who try to be men of the people' |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-im-suspicious-of-politicians-who-try-to-be-men-of-the-people-8440276.html |url-status=live |access-date=7 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806180546/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-im-suspicious-of-politicians-who-try-to-be-men-of-the-people-8440276.html |archive-date=6 August 2017}}{{Cite magazine |date=6 July 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Internet's favourite MP |url=http://www.theweek.co.uk/86423/jacob-rees-mogg-the-internets-favourite-mp |magazine=The Week |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807235658/http://www.theweek.co.uk/86423/jacob-rees-mogg-the-internets-favourite-mp |archive-date=7 August 2017 |access-date=7 August 2017 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last= |date=1 July 2011 |title=The cult of Jacob Rees-Mogg |work=Total Politics |url=http://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/162077/the-cult-of-jacob-reesmogg.thtml |url-status=dead |access-date=14 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903050256/http://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/162077/the-cult-of-jacob-reesmogg.thtml |archive-date=3 September 2011}} He helped filibuster the Daylight Saving Bill 2010–12 and the Sustainable Livestock Bill 2010–12, thus preventing their passage through Parliament. In his long speech on the Sustainable Livestock Bill, he recited poetry, spoke of the superior quality of Somerset eggs, and mentioned the Empress of Blandings, a fictional pig who won silver at the Shropshire County Show three years in a row, before moving on to talk about the sewerage system and the Battle of Agincourt.{{cite web |date=12 November 2010 |title=Sustainable Livestock Bill |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-11-12a.549.0&s=speaker%3A24926#g605.19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002205207/http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2010-11-12a.549.0&s=speaker%3A24926#g605.19 |archive-date=2 October 2013 |access-date=15 July 2012 |website=They Work for You |publisher=mySociety}}{{cite web |date=15 November 2012 |title=Friday filibusters and mug poetry |url=http://labourlist.org/2010/11/friday-filibusters-and-mug-poetry/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218145338/http://labourlist.org/2010/11/friday-filibusters-and-mug-poetry/ |archive-date=18 February 2013 |access-date=14 July 2012 |publisher=LabourList}}{{cite Hansard |title=Sustainable Livestock Bill |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm101112/debtext/101112-0002.htm |house=House of Commons of the United Kingdom |date=12 November 2010 |column=605 |speaker=Jacob Rees-Mogg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407074835/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm101112/debtext/101112-0002.htm |archive-date=7 April 2014}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm101112/debtext/101112-0002.htm |title=House of Commons Hansard Debates for 12 Nov 2010 (Pt 0002) |access-date=21 January 2013 |archive-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407074835/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm101112/debtext/101112-0002.htm |url-status=bot: unknown}} He also jokingly attempted to amend the Daylight Saving Bill to give the county of Somerset its own time zone, fifteen minutes behind London.{{Cite news |date=18 January 2012 |title=Tory MP calls for Somerset to have its own time zone |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16611058 |url-status=live |access-date=14 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120193443/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16611058 |archive-date=20 January 2012}}

In a December 2011 debate on London Local Authorities Bill, he said that council officials with the power to issue on-the-spot fines should be made to wear bowler hats.{{cite web |date=7 November 2011 |title=Clause 3 – Powers exercisable by police civilians and accredited persons |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2011-12-07a.326.2#g329.0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002205157/http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2011-12-07a.326.2#g329.0 |archive-date=2 October 2013 |access-date=15 July 2012 |website=They Work for You |publisher=mySociety}} In February 2012, he used the word "floccinaucinihilipilification"—meaning "the habit of considering as worthless"—during a parliamentary debate; it was noted as the longest word then uttered on the floor of the House of Commons.{{cite web |title=I have great sympathy with what the...: 21 Feb 2012: House of Commons debates |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-02-21b.787.1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731025511/https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-02-21b.787.1 |archive-date=31 July 2017 |access-date=30 May 2019 |website=TheyWorkForYou}}

File:Hon Jacob Rees-Mogg MP.jpg

In May 2013, he addressed the annual dinner held by the Traditional Britain Group, a far-right group that calls for non-white Britons to be deported. Rees-Mogg had been informed as to the nature of the group by anti-fascist group Searchlight prior to his attendance. After the dinner, he informed the press that although he had been informed of the group's views, he had "never been a member or supporter" of them.{{Cite news |last=Nigel Morris |date=8 August 2013 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg's after-dinner speech to group calling on Doreen Lawrence to 'go home' |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-s-after-dinner-speech-to-group-calling-on-doreen-lawrence-to-go-home-8752995.html |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-date=11 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211141245/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-s-after-dinner-speech-to-group-calling-on-doreen-lawrence-to-go-home-8752995.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Holehouse |first=Matthew |date=8 August 2013 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg's shock at dinner with group that want to repatriate black Britons |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10230962/Jacob-Rees-Moggs-shock-at-dinner-with-group-that-want-to-repatriate-black-Britons.html |url-status=live |access-date=8 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811152805/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10230962/Jacob-Rees-Moggs-shock-at-dinner-with-group-that-want-to-repatriate-black-Britons.html |archive-date=11 August 2013}}{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Nigel |date=8 August 2013 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg's after-dinner speech to group calling on Doreen Lawrence to 'go home' |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-reesmoggs-afterdinner-speech-to-group-calling-on-doreen-lawrence-to-go-home-8752995.html |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226035638/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-reesmoggs-afterdinner-speech-to-group-calling-on-doreen-lawrence-to-go-home-8752995.html |archive-date=26 February 2015}}{{Cite news |last=Mason |first=Rowena |date=8 August 2013 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg 'shocked' by right-wing group's attack on Lawrence |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/aug/08/rees-mogg-rightwing-lawrence-attack |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226024711/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/aug/08/rees-mogg-rightwing-lawrence-attack |archive-date=26 February 2015}}

In January 2014, he dismissed the sum of £250,000 spent on MPs' portraits as trivial by saying "I'm all for saving money, saving money right, left and centre, but this is chicken feed".{{Cite news |last=Edgar |first=James |date=14 January 2014 |title=MP dismisses £250,000 taxpayer bill for politicians' portraits as 'chicken feed' |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10571595/MP-dismisses-250000-taxpayer-bill-for-politicianss-portraits-as-chicken-feed.html |url-status=live |access-date=20 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330163936/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10571595/MP-dismisses-250000-taxpayer-bill-for-politicianss-portraits-as-chicken-feed.html |archive-date=30 March 2016}} In December 2014, Rees-Mogg was reported to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority for speaking in debates on tobacco, mining, and oil and gas without first verbally declaring he was a founding partner and director of Somerset Capital, which manages multimillion-pound investments in these sectors.{{Cite news |last=Merrick |first=Jane |date=14 December 2014 |title=Leading Tory backbench MP Jacob Rees-Mogg 'failed to declare interests' |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/tory-backbench-mp-jacob-reesmogg-failed-to-declare-interests-9923362.html |url-status=live |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214025859/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/tory-backbench-mp-jacob-reesmogg-failed-to-declare-interests-9923362.html |archive-date=14 December 2014}} The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Kathryn Hudson, decided that no wrongdoing had been committed and thus no investigation would take place.{{Cite news |date=5 January 2015 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg will face no investigation over declaration of interests |work=The Bristol Post |url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Jacob-Rees-Mogg-face-investigation-declaration/story-25808158-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |access-date=3 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114160226/http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Jacob-Rees-Mogg-face-investigation-declaration/story-25808158-detail/story.html |archive-date=14 January 2015}}

According to The Daily Telegraph, Rees-Mogg's extra-parliamentary work took up 476 hours, or 9 hours per week, in 2014.{{Cite news |last1=Telford |first1=Lyndsey |last2=Heighton |first2=Luke |date=22 February 2015 |title=The MPs who topped up their salaries with £1,600-an-hour second jobs |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/investigations/11428075/The-MPs-who-topped-up-their-salaries-with-1600-an-hour-second-jobs.html |url-status=live |access-date=23 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223213505/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/investigations/11428075/The-MPs-who-topped-up-their-salaries-with-1600-an-hour-second-jobs.html |archive-date=23 February 2015}}

After David Cameron resigned due to the United Kingdom's vote to leave the European Union, the Conservatives had a leadership election in which Rees-Mogg initially supported Boris Johnson. After Johnson chose not to run, Rees-Mogg endorsed Michael Gove and after Gove was eliminated he backed Andrea Leadsom. Leadsom then withdrew, which meant that Theresa May became Conservative leader and Prime Minister.{{Cite news |last1=Sparrow |first1=Andrew |last2=Siddique |first2=Haroon |last3=Khomami |first3=Nadia |last4=Johnston |first4=Chris |date=30 June 2016 |title=Boris Johnson says he is out of Tory party leadership race after Gove challenge – as it happened |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/30/brexit-live-theresa-may-and-boris-johnson-set-to-announce-leadership-bids |url-status=live |access-date=1 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001165201/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/30/brexit-live-theresa-may-and-boris-johnson-set-to-announce-leadership-bids |archive-date=1 October 2017}}{{Cite news |last=Crace |first=John |date=14 October 2016 |title=Trump loses support of Jacob Rees-Mogg ... but he may be secretly relieved |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/14/donald-trump-loses-support-of-mp-but-he-may-be-secretly-relieved |url-status=live |access-date=1 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001213039/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/14/donald-trump-loses-support-of-mp-but-he-may-be-secretly-relieved |archive-date=1 October 2017}}

Rees-Mogg supported the then-Republican Party nominee Donald Trump during 2016 U.S. presidential election.{{Cite news |date=11 September 2016 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg MP says he would vote for Donald Trump |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37332421 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212141009/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37332421 |archive-date=12 February 2017}} In October 2016, when the Donald Trump Access Hollywood tape surfaced, he distanced himself from Trump's Twitter messages, saying that Twitter was "fundamentally trivial".{{Cite news|date=3 December 2017|title=Don't worry about President Trump retweeting racist Britain First because Twitter is a 'fundamentally trivial medium' says Jacob Rees Mogg|work=Bristol Post|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/dont-worry-president-trump-retweeting-869274|access-date=6 February 2018|archive-date=6 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206002817/https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/dont-worry-president-trump-retweeting-869274|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Elgot |first=Jessica |date=10 October 2016 |title=Top Tories distance themselves from Trump after groping boasts |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/10/top-tories-distance-trump-groping-boasts-jacob-rees-mogg-iain-duncan-smith |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128222935/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/10/top-tories-distance-trump-groping-boasts-jacob-rees-mogg-iain-duncan-smith |archive-date=28 January 2017}} In May 2018 he wrote an article for The Times titled 'Trump Will Be Our Greatest Ally After Brexit', saying that he "appealed to voters left behind by the metropolitan elite and he exudes confidence about his own nation and a determination not to be a manager of decline, which also inspires the Brexiteers".{{Cite news|last=Rees-Mogg|first=Jacob|title=President Trump will be our greatest ally after Brexit |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/trump-will-be-our-greatest-ally-after-brexit-0p22jv62j|access-date=10 January 2021|issn=0140-0460|archive-date=22 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122022412/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trump-will-be-our-greatest-ally-after-brexit-0p22jv62j|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/biden-trump-brexit-trade-deal-b1721000.html|title=No truly patriotic Brit – no Brexiteer – should be disappointed that Biden has won the election |work=Independent|date=11 November 2020|access-date=15 January 2021|archive-date=18 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118145013/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/biden-trump-brexit-trade-deal-b1721000.html|url-status=live}}

In November 2017, Rees-Mogg met Trump's former White House Chief Strategist and Breitbart News' executive chairman Steve Bannon to discuss how right-wing movements can succeed in the United Kingdom and the United States.{{Cite news |date=1 December 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg met Steve Bannon to discuss US-UK politics |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/dec/01/jacob-rees-mogg-held-meeting-with-steve-bannon-in-london |access-date=5 February 2018 |archive-date=28 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128145419/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/dec/01/jacob-rees-mogg-held-meeting-with-steve-bannon-in-london |url-status=live}} Rees-Mogg later defended the meeting when asked about it in an interview, stating, "I've talked to any number of people whose political views I do not share or fully endorse. ... Inevitably politicians meet other politicians. Mr Bannon was the chief of staff to President Trump and is a senior figure in the Republican Party."{{Cite news |date=3 December 2017 |title=Don't worry about President Trump retweeting racist Britain First because Twitter is a 'fundamentally trivial medium' says Jacob Rees Mogg |work=Bristol Post |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/dont-worry-president-trump-retweeting-869274 |access-date=5 February 2018 |archive-date=6 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206002817/https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/dont-worry-president-trump-retweeting-869274 |url-status=live}}

File:Official portrait of Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg.jpg

In 2017, he supported the confidence and supply agreement made between the Conservative Party and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).{{Cite news |date=26 June 2017 |title=DUP deal will make the Tories the nasty party again, says Lord Patten |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/26/dup-deal-will-make-tories-nasty-party-says-lord-patten/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910065724/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/26/dup-deal-will-make-tories-nasty-party-says-lord-patten/ |archive-date=10 September 2017}} He later addressed a DUP fundraising event,{{Cite news |date=1 February 2019 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg defends attendance at DUP fundraiser hosted by Ian Paisley |work=Belfast Telegraph |url=https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/jacob-reesmogg-defends-attendance-at-dup-fundraiser-hosted-by-ian-paisley-37772806.html |access-date=1 April 2019 |archive-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122022427/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/jacob-rees-mogg-defends-attendance-at-dup-fundraiser-hosted-by-ian-paisley-37772806.html |url-status=live}} drawing criticism from the Northern Ireland Conservatives.{{Cite news |date=1 February 2019 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg's attendance at DUP fundraiser queried by his party |work=Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-s-attendance-at-dup-fundraiser-queried-by-his-party-1.3779045 |access-date=1 April 2019 |archive-date=19 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419025716/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-s-attendance-at-dup-fundraiser-queried-by-his-party-1.3779045 |url-status=live}}

Rees-Mogg was widely regarded as a potential candidate for the leadership of his party,{{Cite news |date=9 August 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg is the second most popular choice to be next Tory leader among party members |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/jacob-rees-mogg-next-tory-leader-2017-8?r=US&IR=T |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813184626/http://uk.businessinsider.com/jacob-rees-mogg-next-tory-leader-2017-8?r=US&IR=T |archive-date=13 August 2017}}{{Cite news |date=18 July 2017 |title='The times change, and we change with them': Jacob Rees-Mogg gets Twitter |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/18/times-change-change-jacob-rees-mogg-gets-twitter/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719071402/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/18/times-change-change-jacob-rees-mogg-gets-twitter/ |archive-date=19 July 2017}} something he was reportedly considering during 2017.{{Cite news |date=13 August 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg mulls Tory leadership bid |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/tory-rees-mogg-toys-with-leadership-pdgt9qfvr |access-date=13 August 2017 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111175551/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tory-rees-mogg-toys-with-leadership-pdgt9qfvr |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=13 August 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg 'sounds out friends' about his leadership ambitions |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/13/jacob-rees-mogg-sounds-tory-leadership-ambitions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813160234/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/13/jacob-rees-mogg-sounds-tory-leadership-ambitions/ |archive-date=13 August 2017}} On 13 August 2017, however, Rees-Mogg said that such speculation was "part of media's silly season".{{Cite news |last=Sparrow |first=Andrew |date=13 August 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg brushes off leadership talk – but does not rule out bid |work=Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/aug/13/jacob-rees-mogg-brushes-off-conservative-leadership-talk-but-does-not-rule-out-bid |url-status=live |access-date=15 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815150028/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/aug/13/jacob-rees-mogg-brushes-off-conservative-leadership-talk-but-does-not-rule-out-bid |archive-date=15 August 2017}} Two Conservative MPs, Heidi Allen and Anna Soubry, announced that they would leave the party if he became leader;{{Cite news |date=14 August 2017 |title=Tory MP: I'll Quit Party If Rees-Mogg Is Made Leader |work=HuffPost UK |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/tory-mp-will-quit-party-if-jacob-rees-mogg-is-made-leader_uk_5990cd7fe4b08a24727553bf?ncid=engmodushpmg00000003 |url-status=live |access-date=6 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829115416/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/tory-mp-will-quit-party-if-jacob-rees-mogg-is-made-leader_uk_5990cd7fe4b08a24727553bf?ncid=engmodushpmg00000003 |archive-date=29 August 2017}}{{Cite news |date=6 February 2017 |title=Tory MP Anna Soubry threatens to quit party if Brexiteers like Jacob Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson take over |work=Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/tory-mp-anna-soubry-threatens-to-quit-party-if-brexiteers-like-jacob-reesmogg-and-boris-johnson-take-a3758786.html |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721223157/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/tory-mp-anna-soubry-threatens-to-quit-party-if-brexiteers-like-jacob-reesmogg-and-boris-johnson-take-a3758786.html |url-status=live}} another, Justine Greening, suggested she could do the same.{{Cite news |last=Coates, Sam |date=6 February 2018 |title=Greening hints at party exit if Rees-Mogg becomes PM |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/greening-hints-at-party-exit-if-rees-mogg-becomes-pm-9hr7sjjs7 |work=The Times |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031172008/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/greening-hints-at-party-exit-if-rees-mogg-becomes-pm-9hr7sjjs7 |url-status=live}} However, other Conservative MPs, such as Jesse Norman{{Cite news |date=23 August 2017 |title=Hereford and South Herefordshire MP backs Jacob Rees-Mogg |work=Ross Gazette |url=http://www.rossgazette.com/article.cfm?id=109758&headline=Hereford+and+South+Herefordshire+MP+backs+Jacob+Rees-Mogg§ionIs=news&searchyear=2017 |access-date=23 May 2018 |archive-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122022439/https://www.rossgazette.com/article.cfm?id=109758&headline=Hereford+and+South+Herefordshire+MP+backs+Jacob+Rees-Mogg§ionIs=news&searchyear=2017 |url-status=live}} and Daniel Kawczynski have expressed support for a prospective Rees-Mogg leadership bid.{{Cite news |date=23 May 2018 |title=Theresa May not an 'authentic Brexiteer' and could 'destabilise' Conservatives 'like never before' – MP |work=Sky News |url=https://news.sky.com/story/theresa-may-not-an-authentic-brexiteer-and-could-destabilise-conservatives-like-never-before-mp-11382608 |access-date=23 May 2018 |archive-date=19 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519021830/https://news.sky.com/story/theresa-may-not-an-authentic-brexiteer-and-could-destabilise-conservatives-like-never-before-mp-11382608 |url-status=live}} Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage also backed a potential Rees-Mogg candidacy.{{Cite news |date=4 October 2017 |title=Nigel Farage Says Jacob Rees-Mogg Is The "Right Guy" To Be Next Tory Leader |work=LBC |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/nigel-farage/nigel-farage-says-jacob-rees-mogg-is-the-right-guy/ |access-date=23 May 2018 |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122192942/https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/nigel-farage/nigel-farage-says-jacob-rees-mogg-is-the-right-guy/ |url-status=live}}

Following the 2017 general election, calls were made for Theresa May to step down as Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party after failing to win an overall majority in the House of Commons.{{Cite news |last=Batchelor |first=Tom |date=9 June 2017 |title=Theresa May should resign following disastrous Tory election, says Tim Farron |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-resign-tim-farron-disastrous-tory-election-liberal-democrats-latest-a7781581.html |url-status=live |access-date=5 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906225107/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-resign-tim-farron-disastrous-tory-election-liberal-democrats-latest-a7781581.html |archive-date=6 September 2017}} This led news outlets to begin speculating on May's possible successor with Boris Johnson touted as the bookmakers' favourite and Rees-Mogg being given 50/1 odds. A day after the election on 9 June, an online petition, titled Ready for Rees-Mogg, was set up urging Rees-Mogg to run for leader of the Conservative Party. Hoping to mirror the success of pro-Corbyn activist group Momentum, a hashtag of Moggmentum was created.{{Cite news |last=McDonald |first=Karl |date=30 June 2017 |title=#moggmentum: the unlikely movement to make Jacob Rees-Mogg Prime Minister |work=i |url=https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/politics/moggmentum-unlikely-movement-make-jacob-rees-mogg-prime-minister/ |url-status=live |access-date=6 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906224403/https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/politics/moggmentum-unlikely-movement-make-jacob-rees-mogg-prime-minister/ |archive-date=6 September 2017}}{{Cite news |last=Ashcroft |first=Esme |date=8 July 2017 |title=Petition launched to get Jacob Rees-Mogg to stand as Prime Minister |work=Bristol Post |url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/petition-launched-jacob-rees-mogg-179498 |url-status=live |access-date=5 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906230058/http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/petition-launched-jacob-rees-mogg-179498 |archive-date=6 September 2017}} By 8 July 2017, the campaign had attracted over 13,000 signatures and raised £2,000 in donations with leadership odds being cut to 16/1, making him second favourite behind David Davis.{{cite web |last=Morrison |first=Caitlin |date=7 July 2017 |title=Odds slashed on Jacob Rees-Mogg to replace Theresa May as Tory leader |url=http://www.cityam.com/268060/odds-slashed-jacob-rees-mogg-replace-theresa-may-tory |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812062954/http://www.cityam.com/268060/odds-slashed-jacob-rees-mogg-replace-theresa-may-tory |archive-date=12 August 2017 |access-date=6 September 2017 |website=cityam.com}} On 14 August, co-founder of Ready for Rees-Mogg Sam Frost announced the petition had gathered 22,000 registered supporters, 700 volunteers and £7,000 in donations, despite Rees-Mogg having said a day earlier that such speculation was "part of media's silly season" and that "no-body serious" believed he was a candidate.{{Cite news |date=14 September 2017 |title=Rees-Mogg: Food banks 'rather uplifting' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-41264965 |access-date=15 December 2018 |archive-date=16 December 2018 |quote=The voluntary support given to food banks is "rather uplifting" and "shows what a compassionate country we are", Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg has said|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216072459/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-41264965 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Sparrow |first=Andrew |date=13 August 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg brushes off leadership talk – but does not rule out bid |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/aug/13/jacob-rees-mogg-brushes-off-conservative-leadership-talk-but-does-not-rule-out-bid |url-status=live |access-date=15 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815150028/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/aug/13/jacob-rees-mogg-brushes-off-conservative-leadership-talk-but-does-not-rule-out-bid |archive-date=15 August 2017}}{{cite web |last=Frost |first=Sam |date=14 August 2017 |title=Mogg for PM! |url=http://commentcentral.co.uk/mogg-for-pm/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906225639/http://commentcentral.co.uk/mogg-for-pm/ |archive-date=6 September 2017 |access-date=5 September 2017 |website=commentcentral.co.uk}} On 5 September 2017, a poll conducted by ConservativeHome put Rees-Mogg as the favourite for next leader, with 23% of the votes based on 1,309 people surveyed.{{cite web |last=Rizzo |first=Alessandra |date=5 September 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg tops Conservative poll on next party leader |url=http://news.sky.com/story/jacob-rees-mogg-tops-conservative-poll-on-next-party-leader-11021547 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905180357/http://news.sky.com/story/jacob-rees-mogg-tops-conservative-poll-on-next-party-leader-11021547 |archive-date=5 September 2017 |access-date=6 September 2017 |work=Sky News}}

Rees-Mogg was elected chair of the European Research Group, a Eurosceptic pressure group within the Conservative Party, in January 2018.{{Cite news |last=Swinford |first=Steven |date=16 January 2018 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg to lead Eurosceptic Tory MPs and 'hold Government to account' over Brexit |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/01/16/exclusive-jacob-rees-mogg-lead-tory-eurosceptic-mps-hold-government/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118154516/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/01/16/exclusive-jacob-rees-mogg-lead-tory-eurosceptic-mps-hold-government/ |archive-date=18 January 2018}} A report in The Independent suggested that this position provided him with the immediate support of around 50 Conservative MPs, a sufficient number to trigger a leadership contest.{{Cite news |date=3 February 2018 |title=Don't underestimate Jacob Rees-Mogg – he is the Corbyn of the Conservative Party |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/jacob-reesmogg-protest-university-bristol-jeremy-corbyn-favourite-bookies-a8192781.html |access-date=5 February 2018 |archive-date=15 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515144041/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/jacob-reesmogg-protest-university-bristol-jeremy-corbyn-favourite-bookies-a8192781.html |url-status=live}} Since then, Rees-Mogg directly criticised the leadership of May and chancellor Philip Hammond, fuelling more rumours that he was planning to stand for the leadership but reiterated he had no intention of doing so.{{Cite news |date=5 February 2018 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg attacks Theresa May and Philip Hammond as leadership speculation mounts |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-attacks-theresa-may-and-philip-hammond-leadership-a8196076.html |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-date=15 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515142043/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-attacks-theresa-may-and-philip-hammond-leadership-a8196076.html |url-status=live}} In February, a speech that Rees-Mogg was giving at the University of the West of England was disrupted when left wing protesters accused him of being a racist and a bigot; violence broke out between the protesters and Mogg's supporters.{{Cite news |last=Chloe Chaplain |date=3 February 2018 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg caught up in scuffle at university politics event |work=Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/jacob-reesmogg-caught-up-in-scuffle-at-university-politics-event-a3756981.html |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109041557/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/jacob-reesmogg-caught-up-in-scuffle-at-university-politics-event-a3756981.html |url-status=live}}

A supporter of "hard Brexit" (although he prefers the term "clean Brexit"), Rees-Mogg was highly critical of the government's handling of the Brexit negotiations, in particular Theresa May's "Chequers deal", calling it "staying in the EU without a vote":

{{blockquote|The prime minister needs to look at what she herself has said, the promises she has made, the commitments of the last election, and see if they square with Chequers—and in my view they do not. If she sticks with Chequers, she will find she has a block of votes against her in the House of Commons. ... Of course the Eurosceptics in parliament are not in a majority on all issues, but we will inevitably be in a majority on some of them and that will make the legislation extraordinarily difficult if it is based on Chequers.{{Cite news |last=Wheeler |first=Caroline |date=19 August 2018 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg interview: boys, boys, let me sort Brexit first, then we can play cricket |work=The Sunday Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/jacob-rees-mogg-interview-boys-boys-let-me-sort-brexit-first-then-we-can-play-cricket-987n9bbsd |url-access=subscription |access-date=25 August 2018 |archive-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421031350/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jacob-rees-mogg-interview-boys-boys-let-me-sort-brexit-first-then-we-can-play-cricket-987n9bbsd |url-status=live}}}}

He supported a "Canada-plus" deal as a compromise; this would allow for tariff-free trade, without the UK remaining in the single market or the customs union.

In 2018, as part of a Sunday Times investigation into online abuse following controversial comments made by Boris Johnson regarding the niqab and media attention regarding alleged Islamophobia in the Conservative Party, it was reported that a number of Facebook groups supportive of Rees-Mogg and Johnson (some of which included Conservative councillors and officials) were leaving "widespread" Islamophobic and racist comments on Johnson's Facebook page. In response, Rees-Mogg said he was supporting a private member's bill put forward by Labour MP Lucy Powell to regulate social media, and added "people who have these types of views should take no solace in using [Johnson's] comments as an excuse to take this approach".{{Cite news |last1=Wheeler |first1=Caroline |last2=Walters |first2=Tommy |last3=Forbes |first3=Felix |date=19 August 2018 |title=Boris Johnson's Facebook page mobbed by racists after burqa furore |work=The Sunday Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/boris-johnsons-facebook-page-mobbed-by-racists-after-burqa-furore-f5jp2k77h |url-access=subscription |access-date=25 August 2018 |archive-date=19 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819182306/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/boris-johnsons-facebook-page-mobbed-by-racists-after-burqa-furore-f5jp2k77h |url-status=live}} Rees-Mogg defended Johnson against accusations of Islamophobia and criticised the party for initiating disciplinary action against Johnson – in order, Rees-Mogg said, to weaken Johnson politically – calling it a "low-grade abuse of power" as well as a "show trial" and a "witch hunt".{{Cite news |last=Swinford |first=Steven |date=11 August 2018 |title=May setting up Boris for 'show trial |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-daily-telegraph/20180811/281526521884648 |access-date=25 August 2018 |archive-date=25 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825073808/https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-daily-telegraph/20180811/281526521884648 |url-status=live}}

On 15 November 2018, Rees-Mogg implied that he might submit a letter of no confidence in Theresa May over her draft Brexit proposal.{{cite web |date=15 November 2018 |title=Mogg threatens May with no confidence letter |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-politics-46222412/brexit-jacob-rees-mogg-hints-at-may-no-confidence-letter |access-date=15 November 2018 |work=BBC News |archive-date=16 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116002259/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-politics-46222412/brexit-jacob-rees-mogg-hints-at-may-no-confidence-letter |url-status=live}} Later that day, he submitted such a letter to Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs and told reporters "What Theresa May says and does no longer match" but added, "this is nothing to do with personal ambition".{{Cite news |last=Hope |first=Christopher |date=15 November 2018 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg to submit letter of no confidence today after he challenges Theresa May in Commons |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/11/15/jacob-rees-mogg-submit-letter-no-confidence-today-challenges/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/11/15/jacob-rees-mogg-submit-letter-no-confidence-today-challenges/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=15 November 2018 |issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite news |date=15 November 2018 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: 'What Theresa May says and does no longer match' – video |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2018/nov/15/jacob-rees-mogg-what-theresa-may-says-and-does-no-longer-match-video |access-date=15 November 2018 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=15 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115171341/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2018/nov/15/jacob-rees-mogg-what-theresa-may-says-and-does-no-longer-match-video |url-status=live}} Following May's announcement that she would call off the House of Commons vote on her Brexit deal due to widespread dislike of the deal, Rees-Mogg made a statement saying: "What has two years of Theresa May doing Brexit amounted to? An undeliverable deal Parliament would roundly reject, if the prime minister has the gumption to allow it to go before the House of Commons. This is not governing, it risks putting Jeremy Corbyn into government by failing to deliver Brexit. We cannot continue like this. The prime minister must either govern or quit."{{Cite news |date=10 December 2018 |title=May calls off MPs' vote on her Brexit deal |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-46509288 |access-date=10 December 2018 |archive-date=10 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210130413/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-46509288 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Brexit: PM makes statement to MPs |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-politics-parliaments-46506969 |access-date=10 December 2018 |work=BBC News |archive-date=10 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210153028/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-politics-parliaments-46506969 |url-status=live}} In November 2018, Rees-Mogg suggested the party elect Boris Johnson as its new leader.{{Cite news |date=24 November 2018 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: Why Boris Johnson would make a good leader (and I wouldn't) |work=The Spectator |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/2018/11/jacob-rees-mogg-why-boris-johnson-would-make-a-good-leader-and-i-wouldnt/ |access-date=13 December 2018 |archive-date=23 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123131033/https://www.spectator.co.uk/2018/11/jacob-rees-mogg-why-boris-johnson-would-make-a-good-leader-and-i-wouldnt/ |url-status=live}}

Rees-Mogg was described as the leading figure within the unsuccessful effort for a vote of no confidence in Theresa May as party leader by the parliamentary Conservative Party on 12 December.{{Cite news |date=12 December 2018 |title=Theresa May survives confidence vote of Tory MPs |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-46547246 |access-date=13 December 2018 |archive-date=13 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213134722/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-46547246 |url-status=live}} Despite losing the vote, Rees-Mogg continued his calls for May to resign as leader the following day, stating that the Prime Minister had "clearly lost the support of the back benches of the Conservative Party".{{Cite news |date=12 December 2018 |title=Theresa May should 'meet the Queen and resign', says Jacob Rees-Mogg despite PM winning confidence vote |work=Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/reesmogg-hails-pms-confidence-vote-terrible-as-mps-react-a4016016.html |access-date=13 December 2018 |archive-date=15 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215194526/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/reesmogg-hails-pms-confidence-vote-terrible-as-mps-react-a4016016.html |url-status=live}} Rees-Mogg received criticism for his role in this effort from a fellow Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, who called his actions "destructive", "divisive" and "selfish".{{Cite news |date=12 December 2018 |title="Destructive, Divisive And Selfish": Defence Minister Slams Jacob Rees-Mogg |work=LBC |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/eddie-mair/defence-minister-jacob-rees-mogg-no-confidence/ |access-date=13 December 2018 |archive-date=12 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212221928/https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/eddie-mair/defence-minister-jacob-rees-mogg-no-confidence/ |url-status=live}} On 18 December, Rees-Mogg said: "Under Tory party rules the prime minister won, that is a mandate for the next year. I therefore fully support her, I lost the vote last week."{{Cite news |date=18 December 2018 |title='I was operating on an outdated understanding' – Jacob Rees-Mogg squirms as he says he now backs Theresa May |work=The New European |url=https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/jacob-rees-mogg-squirms-as-he-says-he-now-backs-theresa-may-1-5822761 |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232909/https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/jacob-rees-mogg-squirms-as-he-says-he-now-backs-theresa-may-1-5822761 |url-status=live}} He later voted against the Labour Party's motion of no confidence on 16 January 2019, having stated earlier that day on Politics Live that he would support the Prime Minister.{{Cite news |date=16 January 2019 |title=Rees-Mogg on no-confidence against May government |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-politics-46896171/rees-mogg-on-no-confidence-against-may-government |access-date=29 January 2019 |archive-date=30 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130074926/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-politics-46896171/rees-mogg-on-no-confidence-against-may-government |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=16 January 2019 |title=No-confidence motion: How did my MP vote? |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-46897761 |access-date=29 January 2019 |archive-date=30 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130083330/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-46897761 |url-status=live}}

Rees-Mogg said on 22 February 2019 that he opposed Home Secretary Sajid Javid's decision to revoke the UK citizenship of Shamima Begum, one of the Bethnal Green trio, as she was eligible for Bangladeshi citizenship. On his Friday night show on LBC, he stated that he thought that "there is a fundamental equality in British citizens and if you can't take [his] passport away, then you shouldn't be able to take it away from anybody else" and argued that "Why on earth should Bangladeshis pick up a problem that's essentially our problem. We're trying to put our litter in our neighbour's garden."{{Cite news |date=22 February 2019 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg Says He's AGAINST Revoking Shamima Begum's Citizenship |work=LBC |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/jacob-rees-mogg/jacob-rees-mogg-revoking-shamima-begum-citzenship/ |access-date=23 February 2019 |archive-date=22 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222225711/https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/jacob-rees-mogg/jacob-rees-mogg-revoking-shamima-begum-citzenship/ |url-status=live}}

File:Jacob Rees-Mogg, winner in North East Somerset 2019 general election.jpg

Rees-Mogg endorsed Boris Johnson to become leader of the Conservative Party following the resignation of Theresa May. Following Johnson's election as leader on 23 July 2019 and appointment as Prime Minister the next day, Rees-Mogg was appointed Leader of the House of Commons, replacing Mel Stride. He also became Lord President of the Council and attended cabinet meetings in the Johnson government.{{cite news |date=24 July 2019 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg handed cabinet role by Boris Johnson |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-leader-house-common-boris-johnson-cabinet-latest-news-a9019761.html |access-date=25 July 2019 |work=Independent |last=Osborne |first=Samuel |archive-date=25 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725061646/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-leader-house-common-boris-johnson-cabinet-latest-news-a9019761.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |date=25 July 2019 |title=Britain's arch-Brexiteer Rees-Mogg takes up a new seat in parliament |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-reesmogg/britains-arch-brexiteer-rees-mogg-takes-up-a-new-seat-in-parliament-idUSKCN1UK1MN |access-date=25 July 2019 |work=Reuters |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108002243/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-reesmogg/britains-arch-brexiteer-rees-mogg-takes-up-a-new-seat-in-parliament-idUSKCN1UK1MN |url-status=live}} This was the first time that Rees-Mogg either served in a government role or the Cabinet of the United Kingdom.

On 3 September, Rees-Mogg became subject of criticism by fellow MPs after a picture of him reclining on the bench of House of Commons during a debate about the Brexit was published in the media.{{cite news|last=Rawlinson |first=Kevin |date=3 September 2019 |title='Sit up!' – Jacob Rees-Mogg under fire for slouching in Commons |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/03/sit-up-jacob-rees-mogg-under-fire-for-slouching-in-commons |access-date=4 September 2019 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=3 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903232259/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/03/sit-up-jacob-rees-mogg-under-fire-for-slouching-in-commons |url-status=live}} Rees-Mogg was accused of being contemptuous.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-49573630|title=Jacob Rees-Mogg told to 'sit up man!'|work=BBC News|date=3 September 2019|access-date=20 April 2022|archive-date=25 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325195927/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-49573630|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-49578400|title=Brexit: Slouching Jacob Rees-Mogg lampooned in memes|date=4 September 2019|work=BBC News|access-date=20 April 2022|archive-date=25 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325194459/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-49578400|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/jacob-rees-mogg-brexit-debate-lying-down-boris-johnson-tories-ed-miliband-a9091156.html|title=The picture of Jacob Rees-Mogg lying down on the job will haunt the Tories for decades|date=4 September 2019|work=Independent|last=Burnell|first=Emma|access-date=20 April 2022|archive-date=4 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404045340/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/jacob-rees-mogg-brexit-debate-lying-down-boris-johnson-tories-ed-miliband-a9091156.html|url-status=live}} Also in September 2019 he apologised after comparing neurologist David Nicholl, who was involved in the government's Operation Yellowhammer report, to discredited anti-vaxxer Andrew Wakefield.{{Cite news |last=Hayes |first=Andy |date=6 September 2019 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg apologises for comparing doctor to disgraced anti-vaxxer |work=Sky News |url=https://news.sky.com/story/jacob-rees-mogg-apologises-for-comparing-doctor-to-disgraced-anti-vaxxer-11802903 |access-date=6 September 2019 |archive-date=23 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523011318/https://news.sky.com/story/jacob-rees-mogg-apologises-for-comparing-doctor-to-disgraced-anti-vaxxer-11802903 |url-status=live}} Rees-Mogg has supported vaccination against coronavirus and has called anti-vaxxers "nutters".{{cite news |last1=Parker |first1=Connor |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg calls anti-vaxxers 'nutters' as he defends government communications spending |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/jacob-rees-mogg-calls-antivaxxers-nutters-as-he-defends-government-communications-spending-141231083.html |access-date=12 November 2020 |work=Yahoo News UK |date=12 November 2020 |archive-date=24 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124074009/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/jacob-rees-mogg-calls-antivaxxers-nutters-as-he-defends-government-communications-spending-141231083.html |url-status=live}}

During the 2019 general election, Rees-Mogg was criticised after an interview with LBC's Nick Ferrari during which he said it would have been "common sense" for residents to flee the Grenfell Tower fire, ignoring fire brigade advice to stay put. Several hours later, Rees-Mogg said he "profoundly apologised" for his comments.{{Cite news |date=5 November 2019 |title=Grenfell Tower: Jacob Rees-Mogg criticised for 'insulting' comments |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-50302573 |access-date=5 November 2019 |archive-date=16 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216060603/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-50302573 |url-status=live}} Rees-Mogg subsequently made fewer media appearances throughout the rest of the election campaign (in which the Conservatives ultimately won), fuelling speculation in the media that he was under orders from Downing Street to keep a low profile as a result of the Ferrari interview, which was supposedly perceived as damaging to the party.{{Cite news |date=24 November 2019 |title=Rees-Mogg no-show for Tory manifesto launch fuels sidelining claims |work=The Guardian |last=Syal |first=Rajeev |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/24/rees-mogg-no-show-for-manifesto-launch-fuels-theory |access-date=1 January 2020 |archive-date=19 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519132249/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/24/rees-mogg-no-show-for-manifesto-launch-fuels-theory |url-status=live}} Later in the campaign, in an interview with Boris Johnson, Ferrari asked Johnson: "Where is Moggy? [...] I don't see him anywhere." Johnson responded that Rees-Mogg was campaigning actively around the country.{{cite web |date=9 December 2019 |title=Boris Johnson – Live on LBC with Nick Ferrari: Watch in full |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/politics/elections/general-election-2019/boris-johnson-live-on-lbc-with-nick-ferrari/ |access-date=1 January 2020 |work=LBC |archive-date=5 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205082650/https://www.lbc.co.uk/politics/elections/general-election-2019/boris-johnson-live-on-lbc-with-nick-ferrari/ |url-status=live}}

In 2020 Rees-Mogg accused UNICEF of a political stunt after it announced for the first time in its 70-year history it would be providing food parcels to children in deprived areas of London prior to Christmas. Rees-Mogg said that UNICEF were "playing politics when it is meant to be looking after people in the poorest, the most deprived countries in the world, where people are starving, where there are famines and where there are civil wars." Rees-Mogg was branded "Scrooge" by Labour MP Neil Coyle, whose constituency Bermondsey and Old Southwark is one of the affected areas.{{cite news |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg branded 'Scrooge' over Unicef comments as MP invites him to help south London children |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/jacob-reesmogg-unicef-southwark-neil-coyle-charity-b369793.html |access-date=6 January 2021 |work=Evening Standard |last=Sleigh |first=Sophia |date=18 December 2020 |archive-date=20 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220232104/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/jacob-reesmogg-unicef-southwark-neil-coyle-charity-b369793.html |url-status=live}} In his comments, Rees-Mogg stated the charity was "faffing around in England" and "Unicef should be ashamed of itself".{{cite news |last1=Sleigh |first1=Sophie |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg says Unicef should be 'ashamed' for feeding hungry London children |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-unicef-ashamed-b354455.html |access-date=6 January 2021 |work=Evening Standard |date=17 September 2020 |archive-date=15 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115200912/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-unicef-ashamed-b354455.html |url-status=live}}

In January 2021 Rees-Mogg broke government coronavirus guidance by travelling {{Convert | 15 | mi}} from his residence in the Tier 3 area of West Harptree to a church in the Tier 4 area of Glastonbury to attend a Latin Mass. The government's guidance was that people could worship in Tier 4 but were not permitted to travel between tiers. A spokesman for Rees-Mogg said that he "regularly attends the only old rite mass available in the Clifton diocese which meets his religious obligations."{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Barney |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg under fire for 'crossing tiers to attend Latin mass in Glastonbury' |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-church-tiers-glastonbury-b700944.html |access-date=6 January 2021 |work=Evening Standard |date=6 January 2021 |archive-date=5 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105222919/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-church-tiers-glastonbury-b700944.html |url-status=live}} In October 2021 Rees-Mogg dismissed criticisms that Conservative MPs in the House of Commons should wear face masks. He said they knew each other and this meant they were acting in line with government COVID guidance.{{Cite news|date=21 October 2021|title=Tory MPs don't need masks as they know each other, says Rees-Mogg|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-58993387|access-date=21 October 2021|archive-date=22 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122022354/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-58993387|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=22 September 2021|title=Unions urge Westminster mask clampdown as MPs catch coronavirus|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-trade-unions-masks-crackdown-mps-coronavirus/|access-date=21 October 2021|work=POLITICO|last=Webber|first=Esther|archive-date=21 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021165128/https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-trade-unions-masks-crackdown-mps-coronavirus/|url-status=live}}

Rees-Mogg has been criticised for calling Welsh a "foreign language". During a 2021 Commons debate, where Plaid Cymru Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts wished people "Happy St Patrick's Day" in Welsh and Irish, Rees-Mogg replied that "modest quotation in foreign languages is permissible" but not full speeches. Saville Roberts later pointed out that Welsh is not a foreign language and, historically, had been spoken for centuries before English in Britain.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-56437627|title=Jacob Rees Mogg criticised over Welsh language comment|work=BBC News|date=18 March 2021|access-date=8 February 2022|archive-date=8 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208102813/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-56437627|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-described-welsh-20209692|title=Jacob Rees-Mogg has described Welsh as a 'foreign language'|work=WalesOnline|last=Stephens|first=Lydia|date=18 March 2021|access-date=8 February 2022|archive-date=8 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208102824/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-described-welsh-20209692|url-status=live}}

In October 2021 Rees-Mogg said that the main cause of labour shortages in the UK was the effects of disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic rather than Brexit. He said: "The lorry driver shortage is nothing to do with European labour movements. 89% of lorry drivers are UK born and bred in 2021, exactly the same level as in 2016."{{cite news |title=Rees-Mogg: Lorry driver shortages due to 'covid-related disruptions' not Brexit |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/rees-mogg-lorry-driver-shortages-v932621f4 |access-date=8 October 2021 |work=Independent |last=Girotto |first=Eleonora |date=3 October 2021 |archive-date=8 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008213709/https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/rees-mogg-lorry-driver-shortages-v932621f4 |url-status=live}} In January 2022 Rees-Mogg suggested that the forthcoming COVID Inquiry must look at whether COVID regulations had been proportionate or too onerous.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59981890 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: Covid inquiry must look at whether rules were too tough |work=BBC News |date=13 January 2022 |access-date=14 January 2022 |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113163426/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59981890 |url-status=live}}

In February 2022 he was appointed Minister of State for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency.{{cite web|last1=Santillo|first1=Erin|author2=Press Association|date=8 February 2022|title=Rees-Mogg made 'Brexit opportunities' minister in cabinet reshuffle|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/jacob-rees-mogg-made-brexit-6622455|access-date=8 February 2022|work=Hull Live|archive-date=8 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208141047/https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/jacob-rees-mogg-made-brexit-6622455|url-status=live}}

In April 2022 he called for civil servants to return to working in their offices instead of working from home. He expressed concerns about low attendance rate and inefficiency.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-61145692 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg calls for civil servants to return to the office |work=BBC News |date=19 April 2022 |access-date=19 April 2022 |archive-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419031112/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-61145692 |url-status=live}} He was criticised by Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA trade union for civil servants, for leaving notes at the empty desks of civil servants reading "I look forward to seeing you in the office very soon." Penman said the note was "crass and insulting, and undermined civil service leadership."{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61202152|title=Jacob Rees-Mogg empty desk note to civil servants insulting, says union|date=23 April 2022|work=BBC News|access-date=23 April 2022|archive-date=23 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423162940/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61202152|url-status=live}}

In July 2022, following the July 2022 United Kingdom government crisis, Rees-Mogg considered entering the race to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and thus Prime Minister, as a "pro-Boris" candidate.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/11/jacob-rees-mogg-mulls-tory-leadership-bid/ |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg mulls Tory leadership bid |work=The Telegraph |date=11 July 2022 |access-date=13 July 2022 |last1=Hope |first1=Christopher |archive-date=11 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711144847/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/11/jacob-rees-mogg-mulls-tory-leadership-bid/ |url-status=live}} He later supported Liz Truss in the election.{{Cite web |date=12 July 2022 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg and Nadine Dorries back Liz Truss for Tory leadership |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jul/12/jacob-rees-mogg-and-nadine-dorries-back-liz-truss-for-tory-leadership |access-date=22 July 2022 |website=the Guardian}}

Rees-Mogg was appointed Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 6 September 2022 by Prime Minister Liz Truss. Environmental groups expressed concern at his appointment due to his views on climate change and oversight over the UK's net zero targets. His previous office of Minister of State for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency was abolished.{{Cite web |date=8 September 2022 |first=Adam |last=Forrest |title=Brexit 'opportunities' role ditched with no replacement for Jacob Rees-Mogg |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/uk-news/brexit-opportunities-jacob-rees-mogg-b2162781.html |access-date=3 October 2022 |website=Independent}}

In October 2022, during the Conservative Party Conference, Rees-Mogg said that he would be "delighted" to allow fracking in his back garden.{{Cite news |date=3 October 2022 |title=Rees-Mogg tells Tories he'd welcome fracking in his back garden |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/oct/03/rees-mogg-tells-tories-hed-welcome-fracking-in-his-back-garden |access-date=4 October 2022 |work=The Guardian}}

On 25 October 2022, Rees-Mogg resigned from the frontbench upon the appointment of Rishi Sunak as prime minister and returned to the backbenches. Whilst a backbencher, on 23 June 2023 Rees-Mogg was one of a number of MPs named in a Special Report by the Privileges Committee. This report was on the co-ordinated campaign of interference (by Rees-Mogg and others) into the Committee investigation into former Prime Minister Boris Johnson intentionally misleading Parliament.{{cite web |url=https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/40679/documents/198237/default/|title=Matter referred on 21 April 2022: Co-ordinated campaign of interference in the work of the Privileges Committee|website=parliament.uk|access-date=12 August 2023}}

An April 2023 poll, for the Country Land & Business Association, of 1,017 adults living in the 100 most rural constituencies in England, another of August 2023 conducted by The Times, and one for the Trades Union Congress (TUC), of 10,000 adults conducted in September 2023, all suggested that Rees-Mogg was at risk of losing his seat at the 2024 general election.{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/05/27/tories-face-huge-losses-rural-next-election/|title=Tories face huge losses in rural areas at next election, poll suggests|first=Will|last=Hazell|date=27 May 2023 |work=The Telegraph}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-ministers-seats-general-election-b2420799.html|title=Six cabinet ministers set to lose seats in Tory blue wall rout, poll shows|date=29 September 2023|work=Independent}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/oct/16/rees-mogg-coffey-and-hunt-would-lose-seats-in-election-poll-suggests|title=Rees-Mogg, Coffey, and Hunt would lose seats in election, poll suggests|first=Rowena|last=Mason|date=16 October 2022|work=The Guardian}}

In April 2024, Rees-Mogg was chased by protestors after giving a speech at Cardiff University. The protesters, some of whom carried Palestinian flags, shouted abuse at Rees-Mogg as he left, prompting university security to escort him off the premises.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-palestine-protest-b2535820.html|title=Jacob Rees-Mogg hounded off university campus by pro-Palestine activists|newspaper=The Independent|date=27 April 2024|first=Sophie|last=Wingate}} Although many politicians described the incident as "unacceptable" and an example of there being a culture of intimidation in British politics, Rees-Mogg himself defended the protest, describing it as "legitimate and peaceful...as both the protesters and I were able to give our views without fear or intimidation".{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/jacob-rees-mogg-says-protest-was-legitimate-after-he-was-chased-by-demonstrators-13123952|title=Jacob Rees-Mogg says protest was 'legitimate' after he was chased by demonstrators|newspaper=Sky News|date=27 April 2024}}

In the 2024 UK General Election, Rees-Mogg contested the new constituency of North East Somerset and Hanham, losing to Dan Norris of the Labour Party.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-05 |title=Former Brexit minister Jacob Rees-Mogg loses North East Somerset seat to Labour |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-general-election-somerset-b2573319.html |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

{{Conservatism UK|Politicians}}

File:Jacob Rees-Mogg debating at the Cambridge Union Society.JPG in 2012]]

Rees-Mogg's political views have been described as High Tory,{{cite news |date=8 September 2017 |title=The Great Brexit Shambles |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/08/opinion/jeremy-corbyn-theresa-may-brexit.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909062628/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/08/opinion/jeremy-corbyn-theresa-may-brexit.html |archive-date=9 September 2017 |website=New York Times}} reactionary,{{cite web |date=12 August 2017 |title=Artful Rees-Mogg is anything but a joke |url=https://www.thetimes.com/comment/article/artful-rees-mogg-is-anything-but-a-joke-hhhvctlk3?shareToken=19010eb7baa202697539a2c486a70b9d |website=The Times |access-date=12 August 2017 |archive-date=12 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812213340/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/artful-rees-mogg-is-anything-but-a-joke-hhhvctlk3?shareToken=19010eb7baa202697539a2c486a70b9d |url-status=live}} traditionalist,{{cite news |date=4 July 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg and Nicky Morgan in Tory battle for top Westminster post |url=https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-nicky-morgan-tory-battle-top-westminster-post/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802005911/https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-nicky-morgan-tory-battle-top-westminster-post/ |archive-date=2 August 2017 |work=i News}}{{cite web |date=22 July 2017 |title=Tory members turn to David Davis in battle to succeed Theresa May |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jul/22/david-davis-theresa-may-conservative-leadership |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801234143/https://amp.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jul/22/david-davis-theresa-may-conservative-leadership |archive-date=1 August 2017 |website=The Guardian}} nationalist,{{cite web |last=Collins |first=Philip |date=14 September 2017 |title=Britain's new Gaullists |url=https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/britains-new-gaullists |website=Prospect |access-date=18 May 2018 |archive-date=29 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629123106/https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/britains-new-gaullists |url-status=live}} socially conservative,{{Cite news |date=14 August 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg fails to rule out a future bid to be next Conservative Party leader |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/jacob-rees-mogg-fails-to-rule-out-a-future-bid-to-be-next-conservative-party-leader-2017-8?r=US&IR=T |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909190112/http://uk.businessinsider.com/jacob-rees-mogg-fails-to-rule-out-a-future-bid-to-be-next-conservative-party-leader-2017-8?r=US&IR=T |archive-date=9 September 2017}} and right-wing populist.{{cite web |date=14 July 2017 |title=Populism's Latest Twist: An Aristocrat Could Be Britain's Prime Minister |url=http://observer.com/2017/07/jacob-rees-mogg-following-prime-minister/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812214023/http://observer.com/2017/07/jacob-rees-mogg-following-prime-minister/ |archive-date=12 August 2017 |website=New York Observer}} He has rejected his description as a right-wing populist, stating that he stands for "popular policies, not populist policies".{{Cite news |date=10 July 2018 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: What I'd do as UK Home Secretary |work=The Spectator |url=https://spectator.us/2018/07/jacob-rees-mogg-what-id-do-as-uk-home-secretary/ |access-date=20 July 2018 |archive-date=13 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913114254/https://spectator.us/2018/07/jacob-rees-mogg-what-id-do-as-uk-home-secretary/ |url-status=live}} In 2023, Rees-Mogg identified as a national conservative.{{cite news|work=The Telegraph|title=Time Britain returned to its traditional roots|date=23 April 2023|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/04/23/time-britain-returned-to-its-traditional-roots/}}

Rees-Mogg is a staunch monarchist{{Cite news |date=28 March 2014 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg on Downton Abbey, the Ukraine crisis, and taking famous women to a desert island |work=Chat Politics |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh0Ewjyu6cE |url-status=live |access-date=31 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509150455/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh0Ewjyu6cE |archive-date=9 May 2014}} and a member of the Cornerstone Group.{{Cite news |title=Who we are |publisher=Cornerstone Group |url=http://cornerstonegroup.wordpress.com/about/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514042014/http://cornerstonegroup.wordpress.com/about/ |archive-date=14 May 2007}}

Rees-Mogg's public statements on the European Union and referendum on membership have changed over time. In 2011, referring to the then proposed European Union membership referendum, Rees-Mogg suggested a process with two referendums, saying: "Indeed, we could have two referendums. As it happens, it might make more sense to have the second referendum after the renegotiation is completed."{{cite web |last=Rees-Mogg |first=Jacob |date=24 October 2011 |title=Hansard |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm111024/debtext/111024-0003.htm |access-date=29 July 2019 |website=www.parliament.uk |archive-date=29 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729092928/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm111024/debtext/111024-0003.htm |url-status=live}}Quoted in {{Cite news |last=Kentish |first=Benjamin |date=4 August 2018 |title=Leading Tory Brexiteers told to explain speeches showing they supported second referendum on final EU deal #FinalSay |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/final-say-brexit-latest-conservative-mp-explain-speeches-second-referendum-a8477686.html |access-date=14 November 2019 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109040202/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/final-say-brexit-latest-conservative-mp-explain-speeches-second-referendum-a8477686.html |url-status=live}} In a May 2012 lecture to the Centre for Policy Studies, in which he laid out his broad policy position on a range of issues, Rees-Mogg referred to the European Union saying: "I am not an advocate of withdrawal from it but instead I want a fundamental renegotiation of terms".{{cite web |last=Rees-Mogg |first=Jacob |date=10 May 2012 |title=IS DISRAELI RIGHT: 'A SOUND CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT... TORY MEN AND WHIG MEASURES'? |url=https://brexitcentral.com/read-full-text-jacob-rees-mogg-brexit-speech/ |access-date=28 July 2019 |website=Centre for Policy Studies |archive-date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516182819/https://brexitcentral.com/read-full-text-jacob-rees-mogg-brexit-speech/ |url-status=live}}Quoted in {{Cite book |last=Ashcroft |first=Michael |url={{Google Books URL|BuidDwAAQBAJ|p=157}} |title=Jacob's Ladder: The Unauthorised Biography of Jacob Rees-Mogg |date=10 September 2019 |publisher=Biteback Publishing |isbn=978-1-78590-531-5 |page=157 |author-link=Michael Ashcroft}}

Writing in The Daily Telegraph in May 2013, the Eurosceptic Rees-Mogg asked whether it was time to make a "big open and comprehensive offer" to the UK Independence Party (UKIP). He said collaboration would be straightforward as policies were similar on "many issues" and most Conservatives would prefer Nigel Farage to Nick Clegg as Deputy Prime Minister.{{Cite news |last=Rees-Mogg |first=Jacob |date=7 May 2013 |title=Reunite the right: give Ukip jobs in a Conservative ministry |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/10041349/Reunite-the-right-give-Ukip-jobs-in-a-Conservative-ministry.html |url-status=live |access-date=1 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320151043/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/10041349/Reunite-the-right-give-Ukip-jobs-in-a-Conservative-ministry.html |archive-date=20 March 2014}} His remarks angered his party leadership, while UKIP said it was against any formal arrangements.{{Cite news |last=Helm |first=Toby |date=1 February 2014 |title=Ukip pact backed by nearly half of Conservative activists |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/01/ukip-conservative-nigel-farage-anti-eu |url-status=live |access-date=2 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204053603/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/01/ukip-conservative-nigel-farage-anti-eu |archive-date=4 February 2014}} In January 2019, shortly after Farage left UKIP, Rees-Mogg expressed support for Farage potentially returning to the Conservative Party, stating, "personally I hold Nigel in the highest regard and think he was one of these people who was instrumental in delivering Brexit."{{Cite news |date=21 January 2018 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: Nigel Farage should be welcomed back into the Conservative party |work=PoliticsHome |url=https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/news/101244/jacob-rees-mogg-nigel-farage-should-be-welcomed-back |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121233108/https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/news/101244/jacob-rees-mogg-nigel-farage-should-be-welcomed-back |url-status=live}}

As a vocal critic of the European Union,{{cite web |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg |url=http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/mr-jacob-rees-mogg/4099 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709153604/http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/mr-jacob-rees-mogg/4099 |archive-date=9 July 2015 |access-date=14 October 2012 |publisher=UK Parliament}} Rees-Mogg was a leading figure in the campaign for the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, appearing in a number of interviews to debate the topic. Speaking at the Oxford Union, he described the EU as a threat to British democracy and to the sovereignty of parliament citing various countries' rejection of the European Constitution which was later implemented via the Treaty of Lisbon.{{Cite news |last=Waterfield |first=Bruno |date=26 June 2008 |title=EU Constitution author says referendums can be ignored |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/2200026/EU-Constitution-author-says-referendums-can-be-ignored.html |url-status=live |access-date=7 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907165603/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/2200026/EU-Constitution-author-says-referendums-can-be-ignored.html |archive-date=7 September 2017}}{{cite news |date=28 June 2016 |title=When France 'ignored' the result of an EU referendum |url=https://www.thelocal.fr/20160628/brexit-rethink-a-look-at-frances-2005-eu-referendum |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907170158/https://www.thelocal.fr/20160628/brexit-rethink-a-look-at-frances-2005-eu-referendum |archive-date=7 September 2017 |access-date=7 September 2017 |website=The Local}} He later credited the DUP for having "saved" Brexit by torpedoing an agreement between the government and the EU.{{Cite news |date=5 December 2017 |title=As it happened: Govt wants UK-wide partial alignment |work=Sky News |url=https://news.sky.com/story/live-pm-fights-to-save-brexit-deal-11157154 |access-date=13 February 2018 |archive-date=24 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124150136/https://news.sky.com/story/live-pm-fights-to-save-brexit-deal-11157154 |url-status=live}} After meeting with a representative of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, he criticised the party for being insufficiently eurosceptic, stating that "German euroscepticism is milk to British euroscepticism's brandy."{{cite web |date=5 September 2017 |title=An alternative Germany could well do without |url=https://capx.co/how-germanys-afd-lost-sight-of-its-liberal-roots/ |website=CapX |access-date=7 April 2018 |archive-date=1 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401105322/https://capx.co/how-germanys-afd-lost-sight-of-its-liberal-roots/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |date=14 October 2014 |title=The Mogg – a 'pale ale Nigel Farage' – in Germany |url=https://www.channel4.com/news/jacob-rees-mogg-germany-oktoberfest-eu-ukip-farage |website=Channel 4 News |access-date=30 April 2018 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111223933/http://www.channel4.com/news/jacob-rees-mogg-germany-oktoberfest-eu-ukip-farage |url-status=live}}

In April 2019 Rees-Mogg was criticised online after he tweeted a video of a speech made by Alice Weidel, the co-leader of Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. David Lammy, the Labour MP for Tottenham, said Rees-Mogg was "promoting Germany's overtly racist party, AfD". Speaking later, Rees-Mogg said: "I'm not supporting the AfD. But this is a speech in the Bundestag of real importance because it shows a German view of Brexit."{{Cite news |date=1 April 2019 |title=Rees-Mogg defends tweet of far-right AfD clip |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47770959 |access-date=1 April 2019 |archive-date=1 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401103438/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47770959 |url-status=live}} He replied to Lammy in a statement on LBC radio saying: "Once again, Mr Lammy's reputation for under-statement is reinforced."{{cite web|url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/special-shows/ring-rees-mogg/jacob-rees-mogg-responds-to-criticism-over-retweet/|title=Jacob Rees-Mogg Responds To Criticism Over Retweeting German Far-Right Leader|website=LBC|access-date=3 August 2020|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022055039/https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/special-shows/ring-rees-mogg/jacob-rees-mogg-responds-to-criticism-over-retweet/|url-status=live}}

UCL's modern Jewish history professor Michael Berkowitz accused Rees-Mogg of trafficking in antisemitic tropes when Rees-Mogg castigated his opponents in a Commons debate on 'no-deal' Brexit (specifically Oliver Letwin and John Bercow – both of whom are Jewish) as "Illuminati who are taking the powers to themselves."{{cite web |last1=Berkowitz |first1=Michael |author-link1=Michael Berkowitz |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg's alarming cry of 'Illuminati' |url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/european-institute/news/2019/sep/jacob-rees-moggs-alarming-cry-illuminati |website=UCL European Institute |access-date=15 November 2020 |date=17 September 2019 |archive-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101010949/https://www.ucl.ac.uk/european-institute/news/2019/sep/jacob-rees-moggs-alarming-cry-illuminati |url-status=live}} In October 2019, Rees-Mogg faced similar criticism from David Lammy when he suggested that George Soros was allegedly the "funder-in-chief" of the Remain campaign.{{Cite news |date=4 October 2019 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg accused of antisemitism after George Soros comments |work=Independent |url=https://www.indy100.com/article/jacob-rees-mogg-antisemitism-george-soros-house-commons-speaker-tory-9142691 |access-date=9 October 2019 |archive-date=9 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009200419/https://www.indy100.com/article/jacob-rees-mogg-antisemitism-george-soros-house-commons-speaker-tory-9142691 |url-status=live}}

Rees-Mogg is a proponent of academy-based education, reasoning that it gives schools more freedom from local education authorities to make decisions and cuts down on bureaucracy.{{cite web |date=3 May 2016 |title=Academisation |url=http://www.jacobreesmogg.com/academisation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907165531/http://www.jacobreesmogg.com/academisation/ |archive-date=7 September 2017 |access-date=7 September 2017 |website=jacobreesmogg.com}} While defending the list of Conservative candidates for the 2005 election, he said that it would be foolish to disbar candidates who attended Oxford and Cambridge Universities from selection. He stated: "We don't want to make it harder for intellectually able people to be Tory party candidates", saying that the country would not be best run by "potted plants".{{Cite news |title='Toff' shrugs off class jibes in Somerset battle |work=Channel 4 News |url=https://www.channel4.com/news/articles/vote_2010/ampapostoffampapos%2Bshrugs%2Boff%2Bclass%2Bjibes%2Bin%2Bsomerset%2Bbattle/3620612.html |access-date=21 April 2018 |archive-date=16 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216060625/http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/vote_2010/ampapostoffampapos+shrugs+off+class+jibes+in+somerset+battle/3620612.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=4 October 2006 |title=State school pupils are 'potted plants', says Tory |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/state-school-pupils-are-potted-plants-says-tory-418767.html |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-date=9 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909233925/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/state-school-pupils-are-potted-plants-says-tory-418767.html |url-status=live}}

In February 2018, police launched an investigation after Rees-Mogg was caught in the middle of an altercation at a university campus when left wing protesters disrupted a student event in Bristol.{{Cite news |last1=Mason |first1=Rowena |last2=Gayle |first2=Damien |date=3 February 2018 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg involved in scuffle during university campus protest |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/02/jacob-rees-mogg-involved-in-scuffle-at-university-campus |access-date=13 April 2018 |archive-date=12 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412142731/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/02/jacob-rees-mogg-involved-in-scuffle-at-university-campus |url-status=live}} The non-platforming and interference received cross party condemnation with Jo Swinson, then Leader of the Liberal Democrats, tweeting that she was "deeply worried by the violence" and Labour MP Angela Rayner also tweeted saying that she "utterly condemned the behaviour" of those who tried to attack Rees-Mogg and that she found the tactics "intimidating".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/02/jacob-rees-mogg-involved-in-scuffle-at-university-campus|title=Jacob Rees-Mogg involved in scuffle during university campus protest|first1=Rowena|last1=Mason|first2=Damien|last2=Gayle|date=3 February 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=13 April 2018|archive-date=13 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413150350/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/02/jacob-rees-mogg-involved-in-scuffle-at-university-campus|url-status=live}}

Rees-Mogg has set out his views on environment and climate change in a number of public documents,{{cite web |last=Timsbury Environment Group |date=1 October 2012 |title=Carbon emissions and climate change: Report of a meeting with the Hon. Jacob Rees-Mogg |url=http://www.timsbury.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/RM-summary-for-website-version2.pdf |access-date=15 August 2019 |website=Timsbury our Community Website |archive-date=13 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813132055/http://www.timsbury.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/RM-summary-for-website-version2.pdf |url-status=live}} articles{{cite web |last=Rees-Mogg |first=Jacob |date=23 October 2013 |title=Climate change alarmism caused our high energy prices |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/10398635/Climate-change-alarmism-caused-our-high-energy-prices.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/10398635/Climate-change-alarmism-caused-our-high-energy-prices.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=15 August 2019 |website=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |last=Rees-Mogg |first=Jacob |date=30 January 2012 |title=Full letter from MPs to David Cameron on wind power subsidies |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/energy/windpower/9061554/Full-letter-from-MPs-to-David-Cameron-on-wind-power-subsidies.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/energy/windpower/9061554/Full-letter-from-MPs-to-David-Cameron-on-wind-power-subsidies.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=15 August 2019 |website=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}} and interviews.{{cite web |last=Delingpole |first=James |date=2 March 2017 |title=Delingpole interviews Jacob Rees-Mogg |url=https://delingpoleworld.com/jacob-rees-mogg/ |access-date=15 August 2019 |website=Delingpole World |archive-date=17 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317124507/http://delingpoleworld.com/jacob-rees-mogg/ |url-status=live}} He is sceptical of the need to mitigate climate change, instead arguing for adaptation, and believes carbon neutrality targets increase energy prices.{{Cite news |last1=Macaskill |first1=Andrew |last2=Sandle |first2=Paul |date=6 September 2022 |title=Britain appoints Rees-Mogg, who dismissed climate change risks, to energy role |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-appoints-rees-mogg-who-dismissed-climate-change-risks-energy-role-2022-09-06/ |access-date=8 September 2022}}

In 2012, Rees-Mogg questioned the scientific consensus on climate change, claiming that the effect of carbon dioxide emissions on the climate "remains much debated".{{Cite web |last=Vaughan |first=Adam |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: Climate change concern over new energy policy chief |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2336860-jacob-rees-mogg-climate-change-concern-over-new-energy-policy-chief/ |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=New Scientist}} According to Fiona Harvey, Rees-Mogg has "many times voiced climate denialism – even to the extent of misrepresenting climate science", highlighting several times he had criticised the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.{{Cite web |date=6 September 2022 |title=Record of climate denialism indicates how Rees-Mogg will handle energy brief |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2022/sep/06/record-of-climate-denialism-indicates-how-rees-mogg-will-handle-energy-brief |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=the Guardian}} Rees-Mogg was one of 100 MPs who wrote to David Cameron successfully pressurising the government to withdraw subsidies and change planning rules for onshore wind. Rees-Mogg is an investor in oil and coal mining through Somerset Capital Management, which he benefits from financially.

Rees-Mogg blamed "climate alarmism" for rising energy prices in 2013, advocating the continued use of fossil fuels.{{Cite web |date=7 September 2022 |title=The eyebrow-raising comments from new energy secretary Rees-Mogg |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-reesmogg-energy-climate-change-b2161136.html |access-date=8 September 2022 |work=Independent}}

Rees-Mogg suggested in 2017 that environmental regulations could be relaxed, stating: "We could say, if it's good enough in India, it's good enough for here. There's nothing to stop that. We could take it a very long way ... I accept that we're not going to allow dangerous toys to come in from China, we don't want to see those kind of risks. But there's a very long way you can go."{{Cite news |last=Stone |first=Jon |title=Britain could slash environmental and safety standards 'a very long way' after Brexit, Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg says |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-safety-standards-workers-rights-jacob-rees-mogg-a7459336.html |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628163748/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-safety-standards-workers-rights-jacob-rees-mogg-a7459336.html |archive-date=28 June 2017}}

In October 2021, Rees-Mogg said that there was enough time for the UK to do its part to tackle climate change. He said the UK had 30 years to reach its target of net zero carbon emissions. He stated that parts used for solar energy had fallen in price over the last 20 years, making renewable energy more affordable.{{cite news |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg says 'there is enough time' to reverse climate change |url=https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2021-10-05/west-country-mp-says-there-is-enough-time-to-reverse-climate-change |access-date=8 October 2021 |work=ITV News |date=6 October 2021 |archive-date=7 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007154058/https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2021-10-05/west-country-mp-says-there-is-enough-time-to-reverse-climate-change |url-status=live}} In April 2022, Rees-Mogg stated that "We need to be thinking about exploiting every last cubic inch of gas from the North Sea. We are not going for net zero tomorrow – 2050 is a long way off".{{cite news |date=5 April 2022 |title=UK 'too slow' over climate crisis despite stark IPCC report |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/05/uk-too-slow-over-climate-crisis-despite-stark-ipcc-report |access-date=5 April 2022 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=5 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405155844/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/05/uk-too-slow-over-climate-crisis-despite-stark-ipcc-report |url-status=live}}

While Rees-Mogg largely espouses free market economic views, he endorses a role for state intervention, having been influenced by both Robert Peel, an economic liberal, and Benjamin Disraeli, a protectionist. He believes that improving people's lives requires "some use of the powers that the government has".{{Cite news |date=9 March 2018 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: Tory Maoist |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/jacob-rees-mogg-maoist/ |access-date=9 March 2018 |archive-date=2 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302021255/https://www.politico.eu/article/jacob-rees-mogg-maoist/ |url-status=live}}

In 2013, Rees-Mogg expressed support for zero-hour contracts, arguing that they benefit employees, including students, by providing flexibility and could provide a route into more permanent employment.{{Cite news |last=Rees-Mogg |first=Jacob |date=6 August 2013 |title=Zero-hours contracts: why do Lefties always think they know best? |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10225661/Zero-hours-contracts-why-do-Lefties-always-think-they-know-best.html |url-status=live |access-date=16 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809082044/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10225661/Zero-hours-contracts-why-do-Lefties-always-think-they-know-best.html |archive-date=9 August 2013}} He rejected criticism by Vince Cable and others that they were exploitative as "the standard response of the left". In September 2017, Rees-Mogg suggested that food banks fulfil a vital function, and proceeded to argue that "to have charitable support given by people voluntarily to support their fellow citizens I think is rather uplifting and shows what a good, compassionate country we are". He went on to argue that "the real reason for the rise in numbers is that people know that they are there and Labour deliberately didn't tell them." During the same interview, Rees-Mogg conceded that people have "found life tough" but suggested the best way out of poverty was through employment.{{cite web |last=Proctor |first=Kate |date=14 September 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg claims food bank use is up because the Tories have told people they are there |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/jacob-reesmogg-claims-food-bank-use-is-up-because-the-tories-have-told-people-they-are-there-a3634701.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914130859/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/jacob-reesmogg-claims-food-bank-use-is-up-because-the-tories-have-told-people-they-are-there-a3634701.html |archive-date=14 September 2017 |access-date=15 September 2017}}

In 2022, Rees-Mogg suggested that corporations should no longer have to report on the gender pay gap and the speed with which they pay their suppliers.{{Cite news |date=3 October 2022 |title=No 10 quashed 'half-baked' Rees-Mogg labour market reforms |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/799ed62c-86bc-469d-a442-d1553c6e47ec?emailId=f16a93eb-4982-47d9-89b7-884ca48d98ee&segmentId=22011ee7-896a-8c4c-22a0-7603348b7f22 |access-date=4 October 2022}}

Rees-Mogg has taken a mixed approach to British involvement in the Syrian Civil War, denouncing a proposal to arm the Syrian rebels,{{Cite news |last=Rees-Mogg |first=Jacob |date=18 June 2013 |title=War in Syria: what would Thomas Aquinas do? |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10127537/War-in-Syria-what-would-Thomas-Aquinas-do.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911065036/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10127537/War-in-Syria-what-would-Thomas-Aquinas-do.html |archive-date=11 September 2017}} but subsequently voting in favour of a failed proposal for British military action against the Bashar al-Assad regime in 2013.{{cite web|title=Syria and the Use of Chemical Weapons: Division Number 70|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/divisions/pw-2013-08-29-70-commons/mp/24926|website=theyworkforyou.com|date=29 August 2013|access-date=17 September 2021|archive-date=22 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122022454/https://www.theyworkforyou.com/divisions/pw-2013-08-29-70-commons/mp/24926|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Syria and the Use of Chemical Weapons: Division Number 69|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/divisions/pw-2013-08-29-69-commons/mp/24926|website=theyworkforyou.com|date=29 August 2013|access-date=17 September 2021|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917231727/https://www.theyworkforyou.com/divisions/pw-2013-08-29-69-commons/mp/24926|url-status=live}} In October 2015, he argued that "The consequences of the efforts to undermine Assad have been the rise of terrorism and the mass movement of people."{{cite web |date=30 September 2015 |title=October 2015 |url=http://www.mnrjournal.co.uk/article.cfm?id=4&classIS=column&headline=October%202015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909232831/http://www.mnrjournal.co.uk/article.cfm?id=4&classIS=column&headline=October%202015 |archive-date=9 September 2017 |website=Midsomer Norton, Radstock & District Journal}}

He voted in favour of British military action against the Islamic State in Iraq in 2014{{Cite news |date=27 September 2014 |title=How your MP voted on Iraq strikes |work=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29386646 |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-date=17 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117141742/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29386646 |url-status=live}} and in Syria in 2015.{{Cite news |date=3 December 2015 |title=Syria strikes: Find out how your MP voted |work=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-34987921 |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416185933/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-34987921 |url-status=live}}

He has described foreign aid as a "really wasteful approach to government spending",{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/conservative-leader-next-pm-foreign-aid-budget-political-football-theresa-may-a8877741.html|title=Foreign aid budget under threat with looming Tory leadership contest, warns Labour frontbencher|date=20 April 2019|work=Independent|access-date=14 January 2020|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108022459/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/conservative-leader-next-pm-foreign-aid-budget-political-football-theresa-may-a8877741.html|url-status=live}} and in 2018 supported a campaign by the Daily Express to reduce Britain's foreign aid budget.{{Cite news |date=8 February 2018 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg denies he is 'measuring the curtains' as he unexpectedly arrives at No 10 |work=i |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-denies-measuring-curtains-unexpectedly-arrives-no-10/ |access-date=13 February 2018 |archive-date=9 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209140626/https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-denies-measuring-curtains-unexpectedly-arrives-no-10/ |url-status=live}}

Rees-Mogg has previously voted for a stricter asylum system and a more controlled immigration policy in order to reduce net migration.{{cite web |date=22 May 2015 |title=Immigration |url=http://www.jacobreesmogg.com/immigration/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907212620/http://www.jacobreesmogg.com/immigration/ |archive-date=7 September 2017 |access-date=7 September 2017 |website=jacobreesmogg.com}} According to Nigel Farage, Rees-Mogg believes a poster featuring the words "breaking point" overlaid on an image of columns of Syrian refugees entering Europe "won the referendum" for the Leave campaign.{{Cite news |date=8 December 2017 |title=Nigel Farage: the arsonist in exile |work=New Statesman |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2017/12/nigel-farage-arsonist-exile |access-date=12 February 2018 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225103806/https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2017/12/nigel-farage-arsonist-exile |url-status=live}} Rees-Mogg favours the end of free movement of people to the United Kingdom. He wants non-British EU citizens residing in the UK to be protected with "broadly the same rights as British citizens – no better or worse", and not have rights given to them retrospectively retracted.{{Cite news |last=Cowburn |first=Ashley |date=20 August 2018 |title=EU migrants 'to get right to remain' in UK in event of no-deal Brexit |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-latest-eu-migrants-right-remain-uk-no-deal-a8498746.html |access-date=1 September 2018 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109024335/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-latest-eu-migrants-right-remain-uk-no-deal-a8498746.html |url-status=live}}

In May 2018, Rees-Mogg criticised May's target of reducing immigration numbers to 100,000 per year as too low, describing it as "a number that was plucked out of the air" and as "pulling up the drawbridge", and said he was "very sympathetic" to removing student visas from official immigration numbers.{{Cite news |date=22 May 2018 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg slams Theresa May's 'idiotic' 100,000 immigration target |work=PoliticsHome |url=https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/home-affairs/immigration/news/95388/jacob-rees-mogg-slams-theresa-mays-%E2%80%98idiotic%E2%80%99-100000 |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-date=6 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206202543/https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/home-affairs/immigration/news/95388/jacob-rees-mogg-slams-theresa-mays-%E2%80%98idiotic%E2%80%99-100000 |url-status=live}}

Regarding same-sex marriage, Rees-Mogg has stated that he is opposed to it and "not proud" of it being legal,{{Cite news |title=Owen Jones talks to Jacob Rees-Mogg: 'I'm not in favour of this new-age drippiness' |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2015/dec/02/owen-jones-jacob-rees-mogg-no-easy-answers-syria |url-status=live |access-date=13 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416002109/http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2015/dec/02/owen-jones-jacob-rees-mogg-no-easy-answers-syria |archive-date=16 April 2016}} and that it has alienated traditional supporters of the Conservative Party.{{Cite news |last1=Duffy |first1=Nick |last2=McCormick |first2=Joseph Patrick |date=31 January 2015 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: The PM is 'rubbing in gay marriage' |work=PinkNews |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/01/31/exclusive-jacob-rees-mogg-attacks-pm-for-rubbing-it-in-that-same-sex-marriage-passed/ |url-status=live |access-date=10 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504163700/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/01/31/exclusive-jacob-rees-mogg-attacks-pm-for-rubbing-it-in-that-same-sex-marriage-passed/ |archive-date=4 May 2015}}{{Cite news |last=Merrick |first=Jane |date=1 February 2015 |title=MP Jacob Rees-Mogg tells Tory activists he is 'not proud' of gay marriage law |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mp-jacob-reesmogg-tells-tory-activists-he-is-not-proud-of-gay-marriage-law-10016072.html |url-status=live |access-date=10 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507025243/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mp-jacob-reesmogg-tells-tory-activists-he-is-not-proud-of-gay-marriage-law-10016072.html |archive-date=7 May 2015}} In 2013, Rees-Mogg said that on the issue of same-sex marriage, he took his "whip from the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church rather than the [Conservative] Whip's Office".{{Cite news |last=Lusher |first=Adam |date=13 August 2017 |title=Saviour of the Tory party or 'reactionary poison'? Will Jacob Rees-Mogg run for Tory leader, and what would he do as PM? |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-moggmentum-run-for-tory-leader-leadership-election-contest-conservative-party-a7891196.html |url-status=live |access-date=8 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909004817/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-moggmentum-run-for-tory-leader-leadership-election-contest-conservative-party-a7891196.html |archive-date=9 September 2017}} He later elaborated that in his view "marriage is a sacrament and the decision of what is a sacrament lies with the Church, not with Parliament."{{Cite news |last=Sawer |first=Patrick |date=9 September 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: 'I oppose same-sex marriage, but I'd go to a gay wedding' |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/09/jacob-rees-mogg-oppose-same-sex-marriage-go-gay-wedding/ |url-status=live |access-date=9 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909114602/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/09/jacob-rees-mogg-oppose-same-sex-marriage-go-gay-wedding/ |archive-date=9 September 2017}}

Rees-Mogg has said that he does not believe Britain's laws on same-sex marriage or abortion will change.{{Cite news |date=6 September 2017 |title=Rees-Mogg 'completely opposed' to abortion |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41172426 |url-status=live |access-date=30 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915202403/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41172426 |archive-date=15 September 2018}}

Rees-Mogg is against abortion in all circumstances, stating: "life begins at the point of conception." He has described abortion as "a cult of death" and a "modern tragedy",{{Cite web |date=2022-11-29 |title=Rees-Mogg criticised for 'dangerous' abortion comments – follow live |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/rishi-sunak-news-david-miliband-b2235202.html |access-date=2022-11-29 |work=Independent}} adding "with same-sex marriage, that is something that people are doing for themselves. With abortion, that is what people are doing to the unborn child".{{Cite news |last=Horton |first=Helena |date=6 September 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg sets out anti-gay marriage and abortion beliefs – but won't rule out leadership bid |work=Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/06/jacob-rees-mogg-says-against-gay-marriage-abortion-circumstance/ |url-status=live |access-date=6 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906083322/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/06/jacob-rees-mogg-says-against-gay-marriage-abortion-circumstance/ |archive-date=6 September 2017}} In September 2017, he expressed "a great sadness" on hearing about how online retailers had reduced pricing of emergency contraception.{{Cite news |date=14 September 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg dismayed by online sale of cheap morning-after pill |url=http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/09/14/jacob-rees-mogg-dismayed-by-sale-of-4-99-morning-after-pill/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915083703/http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/09/14/jacob-rees-mogg-dismayed-by-sale-of-4-99-morning-after-pill/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 September 2017 |access-date=19 October 2018}} In October 2017, it was reported that Somerset Capital Management, of which Rees-Mogg was a partner, had invested £5m in Kalbe Farma, a company that produces and markets misoprostol pills designed to treat stomach ulcers but widely used in illegal abortions in Indonesia. Rees-Mogg defended the investment by arguing that the company in question "obeys Indonesian law so it's a legitimate investment and there's no hypocrisy. The law in Indonesia would satisfy the Vatican".{{Cite news |title=Anti-abortion MP Jacob Rees-Mogg admits profiting from sale of abortion pills |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-abortion-pills-abortion-rape-conservative-party-conference-tory-leadership-leader-a7976386.html |access-date=4 July 2018 |archive-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122022410/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-reesmogg-abortion-pills-abortion-rape-conservative-party-conference-tory-leadership-leader-a7976386.html |url-status=live}} Several days later, it was reported that the same company also held shares in FDC, a company that sold drugs used as part of legal abortions in India. Somerset Capital Management subsequently sold the shares it had held in FDC. Rees-Mogg said: "I am glad to say it's a stock that we no longer hold. I would not try to defend investing in companies that did things I believe are morally wrong".{{Cite news |last=Baber |first=Andrew |date=9 October 2017 |title=Anti-abortion Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg drops shares in abortion pill company |work=Bath Chronicle |url=https://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/news/bath-news/anti-abortion-tory-mp-jacob-598071 |access-date=5 August 2018 |archive-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122022357/https://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/news/bath-news/anti-abortion-tory-mp-jacob-598071 |url-status=live}}

Rees-Mogg is opposed to capital punishment, and favours due process for British jihadists operating abroad.{{cite web |title=It's been another good week for Rees-Mogg |url=https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2017/10/its-been-another-good-week-for-jacob-rees-mogg.html |access-date=26 July 2019 |website=Conservative Home |date=28 October 2017 |archive-date=26 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726104213/https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2017/10/its-been-another-good-week-for-jacob-rees-mogg.html |url-status=live}}

Rees-Mogg appeared on The 11 O'Clock Show in 1999, where he was interviewed by Ali G, who called him "Lord Rees-Mogg" and attempted to talk about social class.{{Cite news |date=2 May 1999 |title=Goofy gangsta |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/ali/article/0,,195442,00.html |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-date=23 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423180512/http://www.theguardian.com/ali/article/0,,195442,00.html |url-status=live}}

In October 2017 Rees-Mogg presented talk radio station LBC's morning show for a day, where he discussed Brexit, foreign policy and the T-charge with callers, including Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable. Rees-Mogg was praised for his sense of charm and humour.{{cite web |date=23 October 2017 |title=Jacob Rees Mogg On LBC: The Hilarious Highlights |url=http://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/jacob-rees-mogg-on-lbc-the-hilarious-highlights/ |access-date=6 February 2018 |work=LBC |archive-date=27 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027235204/http://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/jacob-rees-mogg-on-lbc-the-hilarious-highlights/ |url-status=live}} He returned to present a Sunday show on LBC in February 2018.{{cite web |title=Moggmentum Comes To LBC: Jacob Rees-Mogg To Host Show On Sunday |url=http://www.lbc.co.uk/politics/parties/conservatives/jacob-rees-mogg/jacob-rees-mogg-to-host-lbc-show/ |access-date=2 March 2018 |website=LBC |archive-date=2 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302164920/http://www.lbc.co.uk/politics/parties/conservatives/jacob-rees-mogg/jacob-rees-mogg-to-host-lbc-show/ |url-status=live}}

Rees-Mogg has his own dedicated podcast known as 'The MoggCast', which, in association with ConservativeHome, features him discussing a wide array of current events on a fortnightly basis.{{Cite news |title=The Moggcast. Episode One. "Austerity in the NHS ... will be very hard to continue with, however much there are limited resources." |work=Conservative Home |url=https://www.conservativehome.com/highlights/2018/01/the-moggcast-episode-one-austerity-in-the-nhswill-be-very-hard-to-continue-with-however-much-there-are-limited-resources.html |access-date=7 March 2018 |archive-date=13 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213195805/https://www.conservativehome.com/highlights/2018/01/the-moggcast-episode-one-austerity-in-the-nhswill-be-very-hard-to-continue-with-however-much-there-are-limited-resources.html |url-status=live}}

On 15 July 2017, he joined Twitter, writing in Latin: {{lang|la|Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis.}} ("The times change, and we change with them").{{Cite news |last=Horton |first=Helena |date=18 July 2017 |title='The times change, and we change with them': Jacob Rees-Mogg gets Twitter |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/18/times-change-change-jacob-rees-mogg-gets-twitter/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719071402/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/18/times-change-change-jacob-rees-mogg-gets-twitter/ |archive-date=19 July 2017}} He also uses Instagram and other social media.

In January 2023 Rees-Mogg was announced to be joining GB News as a host and presenter.{{cite news |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg to host GB News show |work=BBC News |date=26 January 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64409947 |access-date=26 January 2023}} In the 9 May episode of State of the Nation, Rees-Mogg covered a breaking news story about a civil trial verdict involving Donald Trump. The media regulator Ofcom received 40 complaints. In July 2023 Ofcom announced that they were investigating whether the episode broke their rules on preventing politicians from acting as newsreaders.{{cite news |title= Ofcom to investigate episode of Jacob Rees-Mogg's GB News show |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-66086560 |work=BBC}} In September 2024 it was reported that Rees-Mogg might lose his presenting role with the channel, as its pre-tax losses reached £42.4m for the year to the end of May 2023, up from £30.7m a year earlier.https://leftfootforward.org/2024/09/jacob-rees-mogg-could-soon-be-up-for-the-chop-at-gb-news-as-debts-pile-up/

On 2 December 2024, the reality TV show Meet the Rees-Moggs premiered on the discovery+ channel. The season consists of five 40-45 minute-long episodes. The show received mix reviews,{{Cite web |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: 'Reality TV show Meet the Rees-Moggs is a calculated risk' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c75l27rdnpwo |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=www.bbc.com}} with Nick Hilton of The Independent deeming it "toothless, vapid, and not really fair on the kids",{{Cite news |last=Hilton |first=Nick |date=2024-12-02 |title=Meet the Rees-Moggs is toothless, vapid, and not really fair on the kids |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/meet-the-rees-moggs-jacob-review-b2657134.html |access-date=2024-12-06 |work=The Independent |language=en}} while The Guardian's Joel Goldby called it "impeccable reality TV".{{Cite news |last=Golby |first=Joel |date=2024-11-30 |title=Meet the Rees-Moggs: this is impeccable reality TV – but should the ex-MP be allowed on our screens? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/nov/30/meet-the-rees-moggs-this-is-impeccable-reality-tv-but-should-the-ex-mp-be-allowed-on-our-screens |access-date=2024-12-06 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

File:Accession Council of King Charles III - 16.jpg

Rees-Mogg has cultivated a public image as a quintessentially English gentleman,{{cite news |last1=Fletcher |first1=Martin |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg is a disgrace to the country he claims to love |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2022/02/jacob-rees-mogg-is-a-disgrace-to-the-country-he-claims-to-love |access-date=2 March 2023 |work=New Statesman |date=7 February 2022}} whose anachronistic upper-class mannerisms and consciously traditionalist attitudes have led to him being dubbed the "Honourable Member for the 18th century".

According to an article in the Evening Standard in 2018, Rees-Mogg has generated controversy in the past through some of his "more extreme views". In 2017 the commentator Suzanne Moore compared Rees-Mogg to Boris Johnson, Nigel Farage, and Donald Trump, suggesting that like them "he embodies the three things that many people require of modern politicians: a veneer of authenticity; an ability to cut through perceived liberal wisdom; and enormous privilege that is flaunted, rather than hidden." Moore was of the view that he uses his "religious faith" in an attempt to "excuse his appalling bigotry". Moore went on to describe him as "a thoroughly modern bigot" and to describe his political views as "verg[ing] on fascistic ... dressed up in tweed with a knowledge of the classics".{{Cite news |last=Suzanne Moore |date=6 September 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg isn't old-fashioned, he's a thoroughly modern bigot |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/sep/06/jacob-rees-mogg-isnt-old-fashioned-thoroughly-modern-bigot-suzanne-moore |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-date=7 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207010350/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/sep/06/jacob-rees-mogg-isnt-old-fashioned-thoroughly-modern-bigot-suzanne-moore |url-status=live}}

Rees-Mogg has at various times both described himself as a "man of the people"{{Cite news |date=22 July 2017 |title=A cold reactionary lies behind the Jacob Rees-Mogg act |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/22/jacob-rees-mogg-cold-reactionary |first=Catherine |last=Bennett |access-date=20 October 2020 |archive-date=2 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802041141/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/22/jacob-rees-mogg-cold-reactionary |url-status=live}} and rejected that description, saying: "The 'man of the people' act is the height of condescension."

Rees-Mogg is the uncle of Olympic athlete Lawrence Clarke{{Cite news |last=Hart |first=Simon |date=28 September 2010 |title=Charles Lawrence Somerset Clarke eyes next hurdle |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/commonwealthgames/8028194/Commonwealth-Games-2010-Charles-Lawrence-Somerset-Clarke-eyes-next-hurdle.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226030112/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/commonwealthgames/8028194/Commonwealth-Games-2010-Charles-Lawrence-Somerset-Clarke-eyes-next-hurdle.html |archive-date=26 February 2015}} and former Conservative MP Theo Clarke.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/14/unexpected-candidates-from-count-binface-to-rees-moggs-niece|work=The Guardian|title=Unexpected candidates: from Count Binface to Rees-Mogg's niece|date=14 November 2019|access-date=6 February 2020|last=Perraudin|first=Frances|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214090422/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/14/unexpected-candidates-from-count-binface-to-rees-moggs-niece|archive-date=14 December 2019|url-status=live}}

In 2006 Rees-Mogg became engaged to Helena Anne Beatrix Wentworth Fitzwilliam de Chair, a writer for a trade magazine and the only child of Somerset de Chair and his fourth wife Lady Juliet Tadgell. Rees-Mogg had first met de Chair, a close friend of his sister, when they were children, and they began dating the year before their engagement, after Rees-Mogg had gained the blessing of her mother.{{Cite news |date=9 March 2010 |title=The Innocent smoothies of politics are still the party of the rich |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/mar/09/smoothies-party-rich-tories-brand |access-date=5 February 2018 |archive-date=15 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515025108/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/mar/09/smoothies-party-rich-tories-brand |url-status=live}} The couple were married at Canterbury Cathedral, Kent, in 2007, in a ceremony at which the post-Vatican II Mass was celebrated in Latin.{{cite web |date=27 March 2018 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg: I try to say the rosary every day |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/03/27/jacob-rees-mogg-i-try-to-say-the-rosary-every-day/ |access-date=24 July 2019 |website=Catholic Herald |archive-date=8 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108065409/https://catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/03/27/jacob-rees-mogg-i-try-to-say-the-rosary-every-day/ |url-status=live}}

In 2010 the couple purchased the Grade II* listed Gournay Court in West Harptree,{{NHLE|desc=Gourney Court|num=1129581|access-date=6 February 2018}} where they live with their six children.{{cite web |date=28 May 2014 |title=World War One At Home – Gournay Court |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01xtjjw |access-date=6 February 2018 |website=BBC One |archive-date=22 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022211955/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01xtjjw |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last= |date=5 July 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg announces baby Sixtus |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40506109 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705104711/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40506109 |archive-date=5 July 2017 |access-date=5 July 2017 |work=BBC News}} The house is a former Red Cross hospital where Rees-Mogg's great aunt served as a volunteer nurse and the resident matron during the First World War.{{cite web |date=28 May 2014 |title=Gournay Court, Somerset: Remembering a Great Aunt |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01xtjjw |access-date=31 January 2017 |work=BBC News |archive-date=22 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022211955/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01xtjjw |url-status=live}}

File:Gournay Court.jpg.]]

Rees-Mogg is a traditionalist Catholic.{{cite news |title=Rees-Mogg's convenient Catholicism |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/rees-moggs-convenient-catholicism-6d5qbmsgb |access-date=11 June 2023 |work=The Times |date=8 May 2022}} He attends Traditional Latin Mass.{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Barney |title=Rees-Mogg under fire for 'crossing tiers to attend Latin mass' |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-church-tiers-glastonbury-b700944.html |website=Evening Standard |access-date=12 June 2023 |date=5 January 2021}}

In July 2017 Rees-Mogg said: "I've made no pretence to be a modern man at all, ever" and commented that he had never changed a nappy, stating: "I don't think nanny would approve because I'm sure she'd think I wouldn't do it properly." In September 2017, Labour MP Harriet Harman said that "Men who don't change nappies are deadbeat dads – and that includes Jacob Rees-Mogg".{{Cite news |last=Asthana |first=Anushka |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg is a 'deadbeat dad', says Harriet Harman |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/sep/09/jacob-rees-mogg-is-a-deadbeat-dad-says-harriet-harman |url-status=live |access-date=9 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909055155/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/sep/09/jacob-rees-mogg-is-a-deadbeat-dad-says-harriet-harman |archive-date=9 September 2017}}

As a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Historic Vehicles, Rees-Mogg has an interest in historic cars. Aged 23, he purchased a 1968 T-Series Bentley previously owned by cricketer Gubby Allen. In 2005, Rees-Mogg added a 1936 3.5 Litre Bentley to his collection, and used a Lexus for everyday use.{{Cite news |last=Coates |first=Ashley |date=6 October 2016 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg on his first Alfa, Bentleys and the joys of classic motoring |work=Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/motors/jacob-reesmogg-on-his-first-alfa-bentleys-and-the-joys-of-classic-cars-a3352151.html |url-status=live |access-date=6 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906225219/https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/motors/jacob-reesmogg-on-his-first-alfa-bentleys-and-the-joys-of-classic-cars-a3352151.html |archive-date=6 September 2017}} Rees-Mogg is a cricket enthusiast, and has supported Somerset County Cricket Club since his youth.{{cite web |title=Meet Jacob |url=http://www.jacobreesmogg.com/about/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202165629/http://www.jacobreesmogg.com/about/ |archive-date=2 December 2016 |access-date=17 September 2017 |website=www.jacobreesmogg.com}}

In May 2018, he purchased a £5 million property on Cowley Street, behind Westminster Abbey.{{Cite news |last=Kentish |first=Benjamin |date=27 May 2018 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg takes aim at Theresa May over Brexit and Northern Ireland border |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-latest-jacob-rees-theresa-may-error-northern-ireland-border-customs-union-a8371431.html |access-date=2 June 2018 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413191134/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-latest-jacob-rees-theresa-may-error-northern-ireland-border-customs-union-a8371431.html |url-status=live}}

When his father was appointed a life peer in 1988,{{London Gazette |issue=51365 |date=10 June 1988 |page=1 |supp=y}} he became entitled to the style of The Honourable as the son of a Baron.{{cite book |last1= Debrett |first1= John |first2= Charles |last2= Kidd |first3= David |last3= Williamson |date= 1990 |url= {{google books |id= 8Kr-MQEACAAJ |keywords= Debrett%27s Peerage and Baronetage |plainurl= yes}} |title=Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage |location= New York |publisher= Macmillan |isbn= 978-0333388471}} Upon appointment to the Privy Council on 25 July 2019 at Buckingham Palace he received the style of The Right Honourable for life.{{cite web |url=https://www.privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-07-25-List-of-Business.pdf |title=ORDERS APPROVED AND BUSINESS TRANSACTED AT THE PRIVY COUNCIL HELD BY THE QUEEN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE ON 25TH JULY 2019 |last=King |first=Ceri |date=25 July 2019 |website=The Privy Council Office |access-date=6 October 2022 |archive-date=27 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027173936/https://www.privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-07-25-List-of-Business.pdf |url-status=dead}} He was made a Knight Bachelor in the 2022 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours.{{Cite web |title=Resignation Honours 2023 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/resignation-honours-2023 |access-date=9 June 2023 |website=GOV.UK}}{{London Gazette|date=21 July 2023|issue=64120|page=14502|supp=y}}

{{Emblem table

|image = File:Coat of Arms of Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg.svg

|escutcheon = Quarterly: 1st and 4th, argent on a fesse pean between six ermine spots, the two exterior in chief and the centre spot in base, surmounted by a crescent gules, a cock or (Mogg); 2nd and 3rd, gules a chevron engrailed erminois between three swans argent, wings elevated, or (Rees); over all a Crescent for difference.

|crest = 1st, between two spearheads erect sable a cock proper (Mogg); 2nd, a swan argent wings elevated or, holding in the beak a water-lily slipped proper (Rees).

|motto = Cura Pii Diis Sunt (The pious are an object of concern for the gods){{cite book |editor1-last=Kidd |editor1-first=Charles |editor2-last=Williamson |editor2-first=David |title=Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage |date=2003 |publisher=Pan Macmillan Ltd |location=London |page=1340 |isbn=978-0-333-66093-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/debrettspeerageb0000unse_r0m8}}}}

• Foot in Mouth Award{{cite web |title= Foot in Mouth award 2017 |url= http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/issue88.pdf |access-date= 28 October 2021 |archive-date= 7 July 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210707142835/http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/issue88.pdf |url-status= live}}

• {{Cite book |title=Freedom, Responsibility and the State: Curbing Over-Mighty Government |publisher=Politeia |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-9571872-2-1}}
• {{Cite book |title=Harriman's New Book of Investing Rules: The do's and don'ts of the world's best investors |publisher=Harriman House |year=2017 |isbn=978-0-85719-684-2}}
• {{Cite book |title=Goodbye, Europe: Writers and Artists Say Farewell |publisher=Orion Publishing Group |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-4091-7759-3}}
• {{Cite book |title=The Victorians |title-link=The Victorians (Rees-Mogg book) |publisher=W. H. Allen |year=2019 |isbn=978-0-7535-4852-3}}{{Cite magazine |last=Cowdrey |first=Katherine |date=12 April 2017 |title=Jacob Rees-Mogg pens popular history book |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/popular-history-mp-jacob-rees-mogg-wh-allen-536471 |magazine=The Bookseller |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204061308/https://www.thebookseller.com/news/popular-history-mp-jacob-rees-mogg-wh-allen-536471 |archive-date=4 December 2017 |access-date=3 December 2017 |url-status=live}}

• Moggmentum, a fan movement for Jacob Rees-Mogg.

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|http://www.jacobreesmogg.com/}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130924211757/http://www.conservatives.com/People/Members_of_Parliament/Rees-Mogg_Jacob.aspx Jacob Rees-Mogg MP] Conservative Party page
• [http://www.northeastsomersetconservatives.co.uk/person/jacob-rees-mogg Jacob Rees-Mogg] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010308/http://www.northeastsomersetconservatives.co.uk/person/jacob-rees-mogg |date=5 March 2016}} North East Somerset Conservatives
• [https://www.theguardian.com/politics/jacob-rees-mogg Jacob Rees-Mogg | Politics | The Guardian]

{{UK MP links | parliament = jacob-rees-mogg/4099 | guardian = 12693/jacob-rees-mogg | publicwhip = Jacob_Rees-Mogg | theywork = jacob_rees-mogg | bbc = 42117.stm | journalisted =}}

• {{IMDb name|id=nm3264107}}
• [https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/special-shows/ring-rees-mogg/ Ring Rees-Mogg on LBC]
• {{C-SPAN|99299}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rees-Mogg, Jacob}}

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