Tory leadership candidates have made a significant shift to the right in a bid to appeal to the party faithful, abandoning the centre ground in the process. The second day of the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham saw the four contenders – Robert Jenrick, Tom Tugendhat, Kemi Badenoch, and James Cleverly – adopting more right-wing stances to win over supporters.
Robert Jenrick escalated his anti-migration stance, urging the party to consider leaving the European Convention on Human Rights for the sake of the country’s security. On the other hand, Tom Tugendhat rejected the term “climate emergency” and criticised Ed Miliband’s energy policies as detrimental to Britain. Kemi Badenoch, amidst controversy over her comments on maternity pay, reiterated her support for family values, emphasising the importance of supporting families in the UK.
Despite former Prime Minister Theresa May’s advice to reclaim the centre ground and steer clear of emulating Nigel Farage, the leadership candidates continued to court party members with right-wing positions. At a rally, Jenrick stressed the need to address criminal issues linked to human rights conventions, highlighting the urgency for action. Badenoch spoke in favour of facilitating family life, underscoring the positive impact of having a family.
Tugendhat, a key figure in the One Nation group of the party, moved towards a right-wing narrative, rejecting the climate emergency label and criticising energy policies proposed by political opponents. Cleverly weighed in on gender identity issues, cautioning against allowing children to dictate their gender identity, drawing attention to the complexities of adolescence and brain development.
As the leadership race heats up, the Tory candidates are positioning themselves to secure vital support within the party. The move to the right, despite some internal party advice to the contrary, indicates a strategic shift in their campaign strategies and party messaging. These developments mark an important phase in the Conservative leadership contest, with each candidate vying for supremacy within the party ranks.