The Conservative Party seeks a new leader after a July election defeat, focusing on immigration and party unity amid turmoil.
The Conservative Party in Britain is holding its annual conference, focusing on finding a new leader to help the party recover after losing a major election.
After the July elections, the Conservatives only have 121 seats out of 650, with the Labour Party winning more than 400.
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has decided to step down as caretaker leader until a new one is chosen.
The search for a new leader is down to four candidates: Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, and Tom Tugendhat.
They will use the conference to meet with party members and present their final plans.
After that, the Conservative lawmakers will vote to eliminate two candidates, and then party members will vote for the new leader, who is expected to be announced on November 2.
The new leader will take over a party that has been through a lot of changes and challenges, including scandals and resignations of previous leaders.
The leading candidates, Jenrick and Badenoch, both want to appeal to the party’s right-wing supporters, with Jenrick focusing on immigration and human rights, and Badenoch on a smaller government and patriotism.
Cleverly and Tugendhat, while leaning towards the center, have become more strict on immigration to attract voters who left Reform.
Conservative leadership candidates gather in Birmingham for the Tory Party Conference, where the future of the Conservatives will be decided.
— Sky News (@SkyNews) September 29, 2024
Our correspondent @SamCoatesSky has all the details. https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3
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Some Conservatives worry that moving too far to the right could hurt the party in the next election.
Former PM Theresa May believes the party lost support by moving too far right to please potential Reform supporters.
She said that staying in the center ground is safer for winning elections.
The ongoing leadership fight in the Conservative Party has made it hard for them to take advantage of the government’s mistakes.
Starmer’s popularity has dropped due to his negative views on the economy and a scandal about accepting gifts from a wealthy Labour donor.
Adding to Labour’s problems, Rosie Duffield, a lawmaker, has left the party, criticizing Starmer for corruption and saying the party cares more about money and power than making a difference.
Duffield has had issues with the Labour leadership, especially on transgender issues, as she is against making it easier to change legal gender.
Cabinet minister Pat McFadden is upset about Duffield leaving.
