Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick, and Tom Tugendhat step into the spotlight as they fight for the Tory leadership. Each candidate shares their vision amidst ideological rifts within the party. Kemi sparks debate with her bold remarks on maternity pay. The atmosphere is thick with tension as they navigate media scrutiny and appeal to grassroots supporters. Journalist Aubrey Allegretti provides insights into the struggles and aspirations during a critical conference moment, highlighting the Conservative Party's identity crisis.
The Conservative Party leadership contest showcases a struggle between right-wing and centrist candidates, revealing deep ideological divisions within the party.
Candidates are actively engaging with grassroots supporters to sway opinions, highlighting the importance of connection and unity in shaping the party's future direction.
Deep dives
Diverse Paths in Leadership Contest
The Conservative Party leadership contest features four candidates representing various ideological factions within the party. Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenok symbolize the right wing, while James Cleverley occupies a centrist position, and Tom Tugenhart is seen as a one-nation centrist. As the campaign progresses, Jenrick has emerged as the front-runner, receiving notable support from grassroots members, although he faces scrutiny for his campaign affiliations and past moderation. The shifting dynamics highlight the internal struggles of the party as candidates pitch their visions, raising the stakes for defining the party's future direction.
Contentions Over Leadership Ideologies
A significant theme in the leadership race is the debate over whether the party should lean further to the right or seek a centrist appeal. Some members applaud Jenrick's immigration policies, while others fear his association with more extreme right-wing viewpoints could alienate moderate voters. Kemi Badenok, once viewed as the front-runner, is now under fire for controversial remarks regarding maternity pay, with detractors questioning her credentials. The contrast between candidates' approaches reflects a wider underlying tension around the party's identity and electoral strategy.
Influential Figures and Divisions
The conference is marked by the notable absence of several prominent Conservative Party figures, leading to speculation about their influence on the leadership contest. Liz Truss, despite not being a candidate, attracted significant media attention as an emblem of the party's challenges in leadership decisions. Influential voices, including donor Lord Ashcroft, emphasized the need for the new leader to reconcile the party’s diverse support base by appealing not only to conservatives but also to disillusioned voters from other parties. This highlights the complex landscape candidates must navigate as they strive to unify the party while addressing the electorate's growing dissatisfaction.
The Allure of Grassroots Engagement
Candidates are actively engaging with party members in an effort to sway grassroots support, particularly James Cleverley, who emphasizes connection and unity within the party. Cleverley's approach involves personal interactions at conference events, while contrasting views arise regarding the effectiveness of his appeal. Each candidate faces the challenge of proving their vision aligns with party members' sentiments amid an atmosphere of uncertainty. The outcomes of these engagements are critical, as they will ultimately influence who emerges as a credible leader for the party moving forward.
Today, the competition between the leadership candidates - Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat - heats up as the four make their key speeches on the main stage at Conservative Party conference. Manveen Rana is in Birmingham to join the media scrum - and to witness the battle for the soul of the party.
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Guests:
Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times.
Daniel Finkelstein, columnist, The Times.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Clips: Times Radio, GB News, Sky News.
Episode artwork: Times Photographer Richard Pohle.