Tom Tugendhat cautioned against the Tories becoming like Reform UK, stressing the need to rebuild trust after a historic election defeat. Kemi Badenoch expressed readiness to work with Nigel Farage's party in Parliament but ruled out an electoral pact. Both candidates discussed consolidating trust within the Conservative Party and not splitting the centre-right vote in the next election.
Conservative leadership contender Tom Tugendhat cautioned his party against becoming like Reform UK during his speech at the Tory conference in Birmingham.
Tugendhat emphasized the need for the Conservatives to 'rebuild trust' with the public following their historic election defeat in July.
Rival candidate Kemi Badenoch expressed willingness to collaborate with
Nigel Farage's party in Parliament but dismissed an electoral pact.
During the conference, Badenoch, Tugendhat, Robert Jenrick, and James Cleverly all spoke, with interviews conducted by GB News' Christopher Hope.
Cleverly criticized Rishi Sunak's 'stop the boats' slogan, calling it an unachievable goal.
Both candidates highlighted the importance of consolidating trust within the Conservative Party to prevent further losses to other parties.
Tugendhat also emphasized his military background, arguing for his commitment to public service despite limited governmental experience.
Badenoch advocated for defending Conservatism and renewing the party's vision, stressing the significance of not splitting the centre-right vote in the next election.