From leadership drama to fascist debate
From leadership drama to fascist debate at the Conservative Party conference. There will also be ‘meet our candidates’ Q&As, and fringe events – but limited self-reflection at the gathering in Birmingham.
The first party conference after a huge general election defeat generally tends to be a cross between a wake, an inquest, and a beauty contest for those who believe they have the answers to what went wrong.
All four Conservative leadership hopefuls: Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Tom Tugendhat and Robert Jenrick are working on backroom deals and endorsements.
What to look out for at the Conservative party conference
The Conservatives’ gathering in Birmingham is set to be no different – but with a particular emphasis on the third. So what is in store from Sunday for the embattled party faithful and remaining MPs, plus sections of the media and lobbying industry who decide it’s worth going along for a look?
They still need to find a new leader and fend off being swallowed by Reform, from leadership drama to fascist debate: what to look out for at Conservative party conference.
What happens at the party conference in Birmingham will decide the direction the Conservatives take, with all four leadership hopefuls taking different approaches in a bid to get the top job.
Leadership hopefuls
One of the leadership hopefuls, the former home secretary James Cleverly has already hosted a “Bevs with Clevs” evening for his backers here. His team say he is “in his element” and conference is a “home fixture”.
There are plenty of, now well documented, accusations of “dubious” hostile briefings between rival camps. As one insider tells me: “There is always a bit of spice around the edges.” Referring to the pressure Suella Braverman is bringing to the party with her drive to move further right and merge with Reform, hoping that will bring her to power.
With just 121 Conservatives left to play with: nothing is for sure yet.
What is also clear is that not everyone is happy with how the race has played out behind the scenes.