Kemi Badenoch Launches Tory Leadership Bid with Call for Renewal Over Labour Criticism

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

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 12:

Kemi Badenoch is set to assert that the Conservatives cannot regain the confidence of the British public merely by emphasizing Labour's shortcomings.

During the unveiling of her campaign for Conservative leadership on Monday, the ex-Business Secretary will criticize the current administration for not providing a superior alternative.

Yet, after voicing several complaints such as attempting to deceive the British public about the UK's financial condition, she will assert that this approach will not secure her party's victory in the upcoming election.

"Ms. Badenoch will declare that if the Conservatives aim to regain the trust of the British public, they must do more than merely highlight Labour's shortcomings, enjoyable though that may be."

"We must move beyond the recurring 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. This includes the rejuvenation of our party, our political approach, and our mindset."

Further Details on Conservative Party

In the race for Conservative leadership, Kemi Badenoch criticizes her party for rhetoric that leans right but policy actions that skew left, while James Cleverly promises to revive the Rwanda plan.

Keir Starmer's overhaul of education policies

Civil Service watchdog initiates investigation into Labour hires following accusations of favoritism

Coverage Focus:

In July, the Tories experienced their most severe general election loss to date, paving the way for a Labour government to take office for the first time in over a decade.

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

Members of the Conservative Party are divided over its future course, with some advocating for a move back towards more moderate positions, while others argue for a rightward shift to counter the rise of Reform UK.

Ms. Badenoch, regarded as the preferred choice among conservatives, is competing with five other candidates to succeed Rishi Sunak: Robert Jenrick, James Cleverly, Dame Priti Patel, Tom Tugendhat, and Mel Stride.

On Monday, coinciding with parliament's resumption after the summer break, Mr. Cleverly is scheduled to deliver a speech. During his address, he will emphasize the need for his party to "embrace and embody true Conservative principles" and will make a case for reducing the size of government.

He will declare that the Conservatives need to "organize ourselves effectively" in order to offer solutions to "a turbulent global environment, worldwide migration, and a growing distrust in capitalism."

"He will emphasize the importance of the state maintaining transparency and being practical regarding its capabilities and limitations. He will argue that the government should concentrate on excelling in a limited number of areas rather than trying to manage everything inadequately."

"We acknowledge the fundamental responsibility of the government to safeguard its citizens and its territorial integrity. However, it's crucial for Conservatives to be transparent about the compromises involved in executing these duties effectively."

Stay ahead with the latest Breaking News

Download the Sky News application at no cost

Discover more: Tugendhat proposes combating unlawful migration with naval forces, similar to historical anti-slavery efforts. Jenrick expresses enthusiasm about including Johnson in his shadow cabinet.

Mr. Cleverly will advocate for a society that prioritizes family support over turning to government assistance at the first sign of an issue.

👉 Click here to subscribe to the Sky News Daily podcast for daily 20-minute summaries of the top news stories 👈

The contenders are garnering backing from their parliamentary colleagues as the initial vote on Wednesday approaches, which will narrow the group down to four candidates.

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

Stay informed with the most recent updates from the UK and global events by tuning into Sky News.

A debate is scheduled to take place at the party conference at the month's end, where MPs will cast another vote to reduce the number of candidates to two.

The broader base of party members will cast their votes, with the results being declared on November 2.

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

Associated Subjects

Footer of Sky News

Information about Sky News

Services Provided by Sky News

Channels Under Sky

Additional Sky Websites