UK politics live: Badenoch vows to ‘make Starmer sweat’ as Jenrick promises big migration cut in Tory speeches
Tugendhat, Cleverly, Badenoch and Jenrick have delivered last pitch to become new Conservative party leader
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The four Conservative leadership candidates have delivered their final speeches at the party’s conference in their race to be Rishi Sunak’s successor.
Starting her speech, Kemi Badenoch has promised to make “Sir Keir Starmer sweat, Angie uncomfortable, and make Rachel wriggle” if she becomes the new Tory leader.
The shadow secretary also attacked her own government for its record on net zero targets, claiming the previous administration had stop acting like the Conservatives.
Tory rival Robert Jenrick used his speech to target “mass migration” promising to set a new net zero target and leave the ECHR to “finish what Brexit started”.
James Cleverly issued an apology to members of the Tory party following the party’s brutal election defeat in July, urging the party to avoid complacency, warning against “wallowing in self-pity” after Labour’s landslide victory.
During his pitch, Tom Tugendhat called for Thatcher-style revolution for a “free economy” and blamed bureaucrats for failings in the NHS, warning the health service is “not the envy of the world”.
The Independent’s political team will be reporting live throughout the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham.
Cleverly calls for Reagan-like and normal leadership
The Tory contender told the party conference: “Even in the depths of the Cold War he made Americans want to vote for a conservative, not reluctantly, but with enthusiasm. And then what did he do? He cut taxes, he cut regulation, he boosted military spending and he won a landslide.
“So let’s be more like Reagan, let’s be enthusiasm, relatable, positive, optimistic. Let’s be more normal. Let’s sell the benefits of conservatism with a smile.”
ANALYSIS | Conservatism with a smile
Cleverly is doing the opposite to Tugendhat he started with a muted response but is getting a stronger response as he goes along.
The former home secretary’s political hero was Ronald Reagan and it is the former president’s conservatism with a smile he wants.
But most powerful was the tale of his time trying to stay in business before entering politics.
“When I walk about optimism, I talk about doing something about it.”
Cleverly thanks NHS for treating his wife
James Cleverly has thanked the NHS for treating his wife Susie’s recent cancer diagnosis, saying: “it rocked our lives - I could hardly speak, our boys were distraught”.
He added: “But because of the amazing professionals, the doctors, the nurses of the NHS, her life was saved. So to all those in the NHS, I say thank you. And it’s because of them she sits with us in this auditorium today. And her courage, determination, resolve and optimism, her belief in the future, our belief in the future, is why we are here today.
“And I suspect ladies and gentlemen it is also why you are here. Because tomorrow can be better, and together we can make it better.”
ANALYSIS | Cleverly in apologetic mood
Audience is not really warming to James Cleverly going through the pain of the recent defeat, David Maddox reports from the conference.
There is no applause for him saying sorry on behalf of the parliamentary party.
There was silence when he asked why the Conservative Party exists
It is a serious speech though, drawing on his background and life story and his wife’s recent cancer.
Cleverly wants to get back to winning. The question though will be if the party wants to follow him. It does not feel he has persuaded them yet.
'This country has given so much, including my family’
James Cleverly has opened up about growing up in the UK as a mixed race kid.
He told the conference: “My mum came here from Sierra Leone in the 1960s and my father grew up on a council estate in Downham in south east London. He qualified as a surveyor and started a small business.
“She studied nursing and became a midwife in the NHS and I’m gutted that she didn’t live to see me elected and become an MP, or represent our country as foreign secretary when I visited Sierra Leone.
“Some people love to talk our country down. But this country has given so much to so many people, including my family.”
James Cleverly apologises to Tory members following election defeat
James Cleverly has issued an apology to members of the Tory party following the party’s brutal election defeat in July.
He urged the party to avoid complacency, warning against “wallowing in self-pity” after Labour’s landslide victory.
Mr Cleverly said: “There is something we need to say: sorry. Sorry on behalf of the Conservative parliamentary party who let you down. And we have to be better, much better. And under my leadership, we will be.”
“The British people are never wrong”, he told members, saying voters told the party “go and sort ourselves out”.
“Let’s not make them tell us again”, Mr Cleverly added.
“If we wallow in self-pity and blame other parties, if we look backwards instead of forwards, if we focus on what we are against rather than what we are for, if we’re complacent and just wait for the political pendulum to swing back to us, we might as well go home now.”
Tugendhat has had enough...so has the audience
The applause for Tugendhat has been gradually getting more muted and polite as he went through his speech, David Maddox writes from the conference.
So there were chuckles when near the end he said” I know you’ve had enough and so have I.”
Fortunately, he wound up quickly afterwards with a pleasingly loud applause and cheer.
‘I’m here to lead, not to manage’
Tory leadership hopeful has told party members that he is a leader not a manager.
Tom Tugendhat said: “I get it, you’ve had enough. And so have I. But in this leadership election you have a choice. And it’s a choice about change.
“My opponents claim that they’ve got more management experience around the Cabinet table. Sure, that’s true. But I’m not here to manage, I’m here to lead.
“The only way to build trust back is to show real change. And that’s the new conservative revolution that I promise. That’s the change only I can deliver. That’s the change only I will bring.”
Ending his speech, he said: “Our mission is the prosperity and happiness of the British people - and we start today.”
Tugendhat: Socialism delivers decline
Tom Tugendhat has used his final speech to attack Labour and socialism as a whole.
In his final speech, he said: “We are building on the strong foundations of the past and I’m standing because I believe in Britain.
“I have fought for Britain and I have had enough of those who want to manage decline. That’s what socialism delivers.
“It’s not who I am, it’s not who you are and nothing is more fatal to a mission than losing faith in the future. Nothing is more fatal to success than setting our ambition so low that we don’t even try. And nothing is more fatal to a nation than giving up on our belief in it.
“That’s why we must win. Not in 10 years, not in 15, but in five. We can’t afford Labour, the country can’t afford socialism, we can’t afford to wait. And I will not wait. It’s time to seize the moment and turn this around.”
Pictured: Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick arrives
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