Former JLN Braddon state election candidate James Redgrave says working with Senator Jacqui Lambie ‘a living hell’

An ex-JLN Braddon candidate who split from the party says he is not surprised by Jacqui Lambie’s recent bust-up with her now former Tasmanian MPs.

A former Jacqui Lambie Network candidate during the recent state election has claimed how his experience working with the party and its outspoken leader was, at times, “like being in a living hell”.

James Redgrave, who was a JLN candidate in Braddon and collected more than 2700 first preference votes for the party, made his comments after JLN members Miriam Beswick and Rebekah Pentland were expelled from the party by Senator Lambie on Saturday.

It is the second time there has been a major exit from the JLN, after Tasmanian Senator Tammy Tyrell and the party leader had a disagreement earlier this year which resulted in Senator Tyrell’s voluntary move to become an independent.

Jacqui Lambie Network Braddon candidate James Redgrave

“Although I believe her heart’s in the right place, she (Lambie) is someone who probably should not be a senator,” Mr Redgrave claimed.

“She believes that – above almost everything else – she will always be right, and she doesn’t actually listen to most people’s opinions.”

“Being under Jacqui Lambie’s tenure in any form is like being in a living hell,” Mr Redgrave also claimed.

Senator Jacqui Lambie with MPs Rebekah Pentland, Miriam Beswick on Parliament Lawns on August 1, 2024.

Senator Lambie told the Mercury that her relationship with Mr Redgrave was “non-existent”.

Asked on Sunday why her relationships with ex-party members had deteriorated, she said: “if it’s a choice between making people feel good and standing up for my values, I will always choose my values”.

Meanwhile, former JLN Senator Tyrrell said she would support Tasmanian MHAs Beswick and Pentland after they were cut from the party by Senator Lambie.

“I don’t care if elected members are Liberal, Labor, Greens, JLN or independent, so long as they’re interested in getting the best outcomes for Tassie,” Senator Tyrrell said.

“I ran on a platform of honesty, kindness, accountability and making sure I do the absolute best for the people of Tasmania.

“As long as members do what’s best for ‘Team Tas’, as I call it, then my door is always open to them.”

Senator Tammy Tyrrell. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Brendan Beckett

Senator Jacqui Lambie in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Redgrave said he was unsurprised that Mrs Beswick and Ms Pentland had left the party.

“Miriam and Rebekah need support – because at the heart of it – they’re decent people that do care about Tasmania and Tasmanians, and that’s what’s missing from the state political scene at the moment in a big way.”

Originally published as Former JLN Braddon state election candidate James Redgrave says working with Senator Jacqui Lambie ‘a living hell’