At Tory Leadership Conference, Contestants Sidestep Election-Losing Issues in Favor of Party Infighting

The current Tory leadership race notably overlooks the problems that led to the party's electoral loss

The atmosphere at this conference hardly seems like one belonging to a party that faced a significant electoral loss just under three months ago.

Assistant Deputy Political Editor @SamCoatesSky

Sunday, September 29, 2024, at 1

Four candidates have the year's most significant stage to argue why they should be chosen as the leader of the opposition.

Greetings from the annual Conservative Party conference in Birmingham—a rigorous four-day public scrutiny, akin to a job interview under a spotlight, where two out of the four contenders will be eliminated in just 10 days following a parliamentary vote to further reduce their numbers.

This conference is unprecedented. Rishi Sunak holds the title of leader but lacks any real leadership role: marking the first Conservative conference since 1963 without a speech from the leader, which at that time was due to Harold Macmillan's hospitalization for a suspected prostate cancer.

Live Politics: Atmosphere at Conservative Conference Suggests Situation May Be Improving

Despite being less than 100 days removed from a significant electoral loss, the atmosphere doesn't resonate with the typical post-defeat gloom. At this convention, expansive overflow tents sprawl across an area around the Birmingham conference center as large as any I've seen before, displaying none of the downsizing usually observed at similar events held by parties in opposition.

Many MPs and defeated candidates seem optimistically overconfident, eagerly embracing the recent challenges faced by Sir Keir Starmer's administration. They now believe that the distance to regaining power might not be as vast as they had worried just a few weeks earlier.

The Conservative contenders seem to believe that a final push, rather than a comprehensive and drastic overhaul, will suffice for their return to Downing Street. Their initial presentations at the conference today leaned more towards maintaining the status quo than introducing significant changes.

The decision on whether this strategy is appropriate will ultimately be made by MPs and, in due course, by the members themselves.

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This week's main task involves discerning the key distinctions among the four candidates, who appear to be keeping their disagreements confined to narrow and particular issues such as participation in the European Convention on Human Rights.

Hearing the candidates' reactions to the developments in the Middle East on "Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips" proved to be particularly enlightening.

When questioned by Trevor Phillips on what message they would convey to Middle Eastern leaders as Prime Minister, Tom Tugendhat avoided discussing Israel and instead focused his critique on Iran, stating that now was "not the time for escalation."

For optimal video playback, it is recommended to use the Chrome browser.

James Cleverly struck a balanced stance, supporting Israel's right to self-defense while emphasizing that Israel must comply with international law.

Robert Jenrick stated that while he does not completely refrain from criticizing Israel, he believes that their actions have been "reasonable" and that they are taking the "appropriate measures" to prevent loss of life.

However, the most eye-catching response came from Kemi Badenoch.

After the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, an event that raised concerns among some Conservatives about potential regional conflict, Badenoch stated that if she were Prime Minister, she would commend Prime Minister Netanyahu, describing the action as remarkable.

"She emphasized Israel's ethical decisiveness in addressing both its own adversaries and those of the Western world," she stated. "Hezbollah is recognized as a terrorist group, and I believe that Israel's elimination of Hezbollah's leader will contribute to greater peace in the Middle East."

For an optimal viewing experience, it is recommended to use the Chrome browser.

Capturing interest. Delivering sharp, notable responses. Welcoming challenges. Not just on the day's most delicate topic, but consistently during her presentation today.

She thinks that making a bold statement will grab attention, yet she also shows she can provide a thoughtful response when challenged.

Consider another potentially contentious statement: she noted the high volume of newcomers to the UK who dislike Israel. When questioned if her comments were actually targeting Muslim immigrants, Phillips refuted this, referencing her experiences in Saudi Arabia. She aims to tackle more provocative subjects that others may shy away from.

"I refuse to simply stand by and be attacked. If someone takes a swing at me, I'll respond in kind. However, I'm not one to initiate conflicts," she stated.

This strategy is deliberately tough, aimed at securing her spot in the last two, betting that she will stand out more as a leader of the opposition compared to the three men she's competing against. The real question is whether this strategy will attract supporters or simply confirm the doubts of her critics in parliament.

For optimal video playback, it is recommended to use the Chrome browser.

Robert Jenrick aims to strengthen his lead among fellow MPs by adopting stances that align with the conservative wing of the party, steering clear of reducing his political rhetoric.

He positions himself as the candidate capable of reclaiming support lost to Reform UK, advocating for a cap on migration and stressing the importance of withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights.

His team is applauding Badenoch's subtle shift in her stance, initially stating she would not endorse a withdrawal but now not dismissing the possibility.

Following a vigorous launch to his campaign, the key issue for Jenrick is whether, after navigating through various Conservative ideologies, he has the stature to earn widespread respect.

Sky's inquiries regarding the original funding source for a sports company, which employs no one yet contributed £75,000 to him, likely did not please his team. His hesitance to disclose the identities of the individuals involved with the company was significant and might prove problematic for him in the future.

For optimal video playback, it is recommended to utilize the Chrome browser.

Tugendhat faces the task of persuading the public about his expertise in domestic affairs. While he presents a strong narrative about his international leadership capabilities, he tends to redirect questions regarding domestic issues to highlight his past experiences.

Cleverly has the chance to surpass Badenoch if he manages to impress at the conference in Birmingham, as he intends.

He must demonstrate his vigor and capacity for success with some unexpected moves. His guarded responses to Trevor Phillips on international issues were error-free, yet he requires a standout week to reverse his fortunes in this competition. Merely advocating for unity may not be sufficient.

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The most notable aspect of this competition so far is the absence of attention to the topics that surveys indicate led to the Conservative's electoral defeat – namely, the economy, education, and healthcare.

The participants in this race seem to be mirroring the past internal conflicts of the administration, without presenting a clear new direction. It remains to be seen if this will continue as the week progresses.

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