Kemi Badenoch Calls for Tory Renewal Over Criticism of Labour in Leadership Launch Speech

In her speech to kick off her campaign for Tory leadership, Kemi Badenoch will criticize the Labour Party, yet she plans to emphasize that her party should concentrate on rejuvenation instead of merely attacking the opposition to secure victory in the upcoming election.

Political journalist @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024 12:27

Kemi Badenoch is set to declare that the Conservatives cannot regain the trust of the British public merely by criticizing the Labour Party's flaws.

During her announcement to run for Conservative leader on Monday, the ex-Business Secretary will criticize the current administration for not providing improved solutions.

Yet, even though she enumerates various critiques such as "deceiving the British public about the UK's financial situation," she will assert that these actions will not secure her party's victory in the upcoming election.

"Ms. Badenoch will assert that if the Conservatives aim to regain the trust of the British populace, they must do more than merely highlight Labour's flaws—even though it may be enjoyable."

"It's time to move on from the repetitive policy debates of the previous legislature. We were defeated. We do not hold authority."

Labour will not succeed; and when that moment arrives, and the British public seeks a new direction, we must be that alternative.

"We need to concentrate on rejuvenation—rejuvenating our party, our political approach, and our mindset."

In-Depth on Conservatives

During the Conservative party leadership contest, Kemi Badenoch criticized the party for not practicing what they preach, claiming they lean left in their governance despite right-leaning rhetoric. Meanwhile, James Cleverly has committed

Keir Starmer's transformative vision for education

The regulatory body overseeing the Civil Service has initiated an investigation into the staffing decisions made by the Labour Party, following allegations of favoritism

Associated Subjects:

In July, the Conservative Party faced its most severe loss in a general election to date, paving the way for a Labour government to assume office for the first time in nearly a decade and a half.

For an optimal video viewing experience, it's recommended to utilize the Chrome browser

There is division among conservatives regarding the future course of their party, with some advocating for a move back towards moderation, while others suggest leaning further right to counter the rise of Reform UK.

Ms. Badenoch, a popular choice among conservatives, is competing with five other candidates in the contest to succeed Rishi Sunak: Robert Jenrick, James Cleverly, Dame Priti Patel, Tom Tughendhat, and Mel Stride.

Mr. Cleverly is set to deliver a speech on Monday, coinciding with parliament's reconvening after the summer break, where he will emphasize that his party needs to "return to true Conservative principles" and make the case for reducing the size of government.

He will assert that the Conservatives "need to consolidate our efforts" to offer solutions for "a turbulent global environment, widespread migration, and a growing distrust in capitalist systems."

"This implies maintaining transparency and practicality regarding the state's function. It involves recognizing its capabilities and limitations, what it ought to do and what it ought not. The state should concentrate on performing a limited number of tasks excellently rather than attempting all tasks poorly," he will further state.

"We acknowledge that the foremost responsibility of the government is to safeguard its citizens and its territorial integrity. However, it is crucial for Conservatives to be transparent about the compromises involved in achieving these objectives effectively."

Stay ahead with the latest breaking news updates.

Download the Sky News application at no cost

Further Reading: Tugendhat proposes using the navy to combat illegal migration, drawing a parallel to the battle against slavery. Jenrick expresses enthusiasm about the possibility of including Johnson in his shadow cabinet.

Mr. Cleverly will make a case for prioritizing a "family-first society" over turning to the government as the initial solution when issues occur.

👉 Click here to subscribe to the Sky News Daily podcast for daily 20-minute updates on the major stories 👈

The contenders are rallying support from their parliamentary colleagues before the initial vote on Wednesday, which will narrow the group of competitors down to four.

In the days leading up to the vote, significant addresses have been delivered by Mr. Tugendhat, Ms. Patel, and Mr. Jenrick.

Stay informed about the most recent developments in the UK and globally by following Sky News.

A debate is scheduled at the party conference later this month, where MPs will cast another vote to reduce the number of candidates to two.

Subsequently, the broader base of the party will cast their votes, with the victor being declared on November 2

Tune into The Politics Hub on Sky News tonight at 7pm.

Associated Subjects

Footer of Sky News

Information on Sky News

Services Provided by Sky News

Sky Network Channels

Additional Sites Under Sky