Kemi Badenoch has successfully put her Tory leadership bid back on track with a compelling speech delivered at the end of the Conservative conference in Birmingham. Despite facing challenges during the conference, including controversial remarks on maternity pay and civil servants, Badenoch managed to win over Tory members with her closing address.
The final round of speeches also highlighted James Cleverly as a strong contender for the leadership position, with his speech receiving resounding cheers from the audience. Cleverly addressed criticisms of his affable nature by outlining his Conservative philosophy and his plans to rejuvenate the party.
On the other hand, Robert Jenrick, positioning himself as the candidate of the right, faced difficulties during his speech due to a sore throat and failed attempts at humour. Tom Tugendhat, competing with Cleverly for the centrist vote, delivered a solid speech but failed to inspire the audience.
In her speech, Badenoch delved into her childhood experiences in Nigeria to explain her conservative values. She highlighted her scepticism towards the Net Zero agenda, criticising the lack of a proper plan to achieve the targets set by politicians.
As the leadership race progresses, MPs will soon narrow down the candidates to two for the final selection by party members. The voting process will conclude on 31 October, with the announcement of Rishi Sunak’s successor on 2 November.
While the speeches resonated with the conference attendees, questions arose outside the conference hall as Badenoch chose not to engage with the media, sending supporting MPs in her place. Cleverly expressed confidence in his growing support, while Jenrick remained defiant amidst concerns about his campaign’s momentum.
The Tory leadership race continues with each candidate making their case for why they should lead the party forward, setting out their visions and plans for the future. The final decision lies in the hands of the party members, who will determine the next leader of the Conservative Party.