Conservative Conference 2024: Reflection, renewal, and the road ahead

Birmingham hosted the Conservative Party Conference 2024, a defining moment as the party confronts significant internal and external challenges. With leadership contenders stepping forward, the event featured strategic recalibrations, ideological contests, and sober reflections on the road ahead. Here’s a summary of the key themes that shaped the conversation.

The future of the party

At the forefront of the conference was the leadership race. Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, and Tom Tugendhat each presented their competing visions, positioning themselves as the right candidate to steer the party through its next phase. This contest isn’t simply about selecting a new leader—it’s about determining the future direction of the Conservative Party.

Robert Jenrick?garnered attention with his firm stance on immigration, advocating for the UK’s withdrawal from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). His message? Stronger borders and a clear break from European legal oversight. This resonated with party members prioritising sovereignty and security.

In contrast,?Kemi Badenoch?leaned into traditional Conservative values, emphasising personal responsibility and limited government footprint on people’s lives. Her controversial

James Cleverly?championed unity and experience. His vision for restoring the party’s public image by distancing from controversial policies and focusing on economic stability was aimed at healing internal fractures and regaining public trust.

Tom Tugendhat?offered a fresh perspective, calling for a "New Conservative Revolution". He leveraged his military background to spotlight national security and energy independence, positioning himself as the pragmatic choice for voters seeking stability and reform.

Policy challenges

Economic issues were at the heart of the discussions. Shadow Chancellor?Jeremy Hunt?issued a stern warning: complacency could lead to disaster. He called for bold reforms, urging the party to make tough fiscal decisions to win back disillusioned voters.

The leadership candidates offered distinct approaches. Jenrick prioritised housing reform and improving local government efficiency, while Tugendhat highlighted energy security and nuclear power. The challenge? Balancing tax cuts with economic growth and fiscal responsibility—a balancing act that each contender sought to address.

Immigration was another focal point. Jenrick’s proposal to leave the ECHR generated significant debate, with supporters hailing it as a necessary step, while critics warned of the potential risks. Cleverly, meanwhile, took a more measured approach, focusing on individual liberty and limited government intervention, appealing to the party’s libertarian wing.

Division

The conference underscored significant ideological divides within the party, particularly on immigration, cultural values, and economic strategy. These divisions reflect deeper questions about the direction the Conservative Party should take.

Badenoch’s controversial stance on statutory maternity pay ignited lively debate, highlighting the ideological tensions within the party. Meanwhile, Jenrick’s rejection of net-zero targets revealed a sharp contrast with the more progressive elements in the leadership race.

Meanwhile, calls for unity reverberated throughout the conference. After recent electoral setbacks, a brief appearance by?Rishi Sunak highlighted the pressing need for cohesion as the party moves forward.

Fighting for attention

Overall, leadership speeches struggled to make an impact on the news cycle, reflecting the biggest challenge the Tories will face in opposition - capturing public interest.

Polling revealed a tightening race, with Tom Tugendhat emerging as the frontrunner among independent readers, securing 40% support and James Cleverly following with 25.5%. Within the Tory membership, Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are in a close contest, with Badenoch narrowly leading at 52% to Jenrick's 48%.

Following their speeches to conference, members appeared more impressed by Cleverly and Badenoch’s performances, while Tugendhat left some underwhelmed, and Jenrick’s gag-filled and immigration obsessed speech failed to land with the audience.

A defining moment for the Conservative Party

As the leadership race narrows and MPs prepare to vote, the party faces a defining challenge: to unite around a clear vision, navigate deep ideological divisions, and reconnect with an electorate that is increasingly demanding answers.

On 2 November, the new leader will take the helm—not only of the party but also as Leader of the Opposition. Whether the party can come together and forge a path forward will determine its prospects for recovery and resurgence in the eyes of the British electorate.