Tory Leadership Contest Focuses Inward as Public Priorities Await Attention

This Conservative Party conference is primarily focused on internal matters, with restoring the trust of the general public taking a backseat. For those of us observing from the outside who aren't officially affiliated with the Conservative Party, the key issue is whether their chosen leader will be able to transition from appealing to the party faithful to engaging a broader electorate.

Political editor Beth Rigby (@BethRigby)

Monday, September 30, 2024 7:37

The Conservative Party conference is underway, though it might feel different from previous years.

This year finds the Conservatives out of government, and rather than presenting a new vision for the nation, their conference is preoccupied with the hunt for a new party leader.

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The most recent occurrence was following the 2005 general election, when David Davis and David Cameron vied for the leadership position, resulting in an intriguing spectacle.

The discourse lacks unity and a distinct purpose, as we observe a competitive display among the four candidates, each aiming to appeal to a narrow group of decision-makers. Consequently, significant national concerns such as the economy, healthcare, and immigration are largely overshadowed. The focus has shifted towards topics that resonate more with Conservative Party members, dominating the conversation.

During his Monday morning gathering, leading candidate and popular choice among Members of Parliament, Robert Jenrick, focused his discussion primarily on the urgency for the UK to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). He cautioned that the survival of their party depended on this move, characterizing it as a "leave or die" situation.

When I questioned him further on his statement and asked if claiming that the Conservative Party would become extinct if it failed to exit the ECHR was too extreme, he responded, "I believe that a centre-right party must address these matters.

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"If we fail to address the issue of illegal migration and return sovereignty to our citizens and parliament, there will be no future for the Conservative Party."

In the meantime, Kemi Badenoch, his main competitor, has sparked debate at her conference following comments about maternity benefits and her claim that "not all cultures hold the same value in determining who should be permitted entry into the UK."

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Whether it's discussions about the European Convention on Human Rights or comments that ignite debates over "culture wars," these topics may not necessarily dominate mainstream public discourse.

This event, however, isn't related to those tuning in from home; it's specifically focused on the party members involved in the Conservative leadership race.

"One current Conservative MP points out, 'They are fixated on these matters.' Consider how Keir Starmer reached out to the left in 2020, or how Ed Miliband leveraged union support to narrowly defeat his brother in the 2010 leadership contest. They recognized the importance of addressing their base."

However, following the most severe electoral loss in recent times, some members are concerned that the party is too introspective. They fear that the reaction to Labour’s overwhelming victory in 2024 might resemble the situation in 1997, when the Conservatives selected a leader who was popular within the party but failed to connect with a broader electorate.

Of the 121 remaining MPs, there is an active debate concerning the future path of the party. Some members advocate for a deeper exploration into the fundamentals of "Conservatism" and the government’s role in society, while others believe the party should concentrate solely on the public's main concerns and develop strategies to regain voter support.

Former Cabinet Minister Sir Robert Buckland, who was unseated in the recent general election, shared with me on the sidelines of the conference, "The discussions aren't focusing sufficiently on critical topics like the cost of living, environmental sustainability, and Britain's security in a progressively unstable global landscape."

He also mentioned that continually discussing the ECHR is "strange".

"People aren't focused on that. They're not at the local pub fretting over Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

We could discuss that endlessly.

"I served as lord chancellor and have practiced law for three decades. These matters have no bearing on immigration or on the overall wellbeing of the British populace, which has historically been the focus of the Conservative Party when at its finest. It's time to face reality, cease the odd behavior, and truly tackle the concerns that matter to the citizens of Britain."

However, that's not the focus of the upcoming days.

This celebration focuses on festivities; plans for reconstruction with community input are on hold.

The key issue for observers not affiliated with the Conservative Party is whether their chosen candidate can transition from appealing to a specialized voter base to engaging a broader electorate.

It is this factor, not the affiliation with the ECHR, that will decide if the party confronts a crisis of survival.

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