The four candidates for Tory leadership have abandoned the centre ground as they embark on a right-wing arms race to win over the party faithful.
On the second day of the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, Robert Jenrick ramped up his anti-migration rhetoric, Tom Tugendhat said he doesn’t accept the term “climate emergency”, Kemi Badenoch re-emphasised her support for family values following a row over maternity pay, while James Cleverly waded in on trans issues.
The four candidates are parading themselves in front of party members at their annual conference – attending leadership hustings, Q&A sessions, fringe events, and drinks receptions – in what has been described as a beauty contest to shore up support. The rightward turn came despite a warning from former prime minister Theresa May that the party must not try to be like Nigel Farage and to remember it lost more seats to the Liberal Democrats. She urged the candidates to try to win back the centre ground but her appeal appears to have fallen on deaf ears.
Denne historien er fra October 01, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 01, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'I think that human lives have become a lot cheaper'
In his new book Resolution’, Irvine Welsh proves his writing has lost none of its bite. He speaks to Chris Harvey about how identity politics has played into the hands of the wealthy
Third British judge leaves role in Hong Kong court
A third British judge has left a top Hong Kong Court amid growing calls for them to step down over a China-imposed crackdown on dissent.
Putin is trying to ‘erase' Ukraine, tennis star warns
Russian president Vladimir Putin is waging war to try and wipe Ukraine off the map, the country’s top tennis player has warned.
Rat infestation threatening priceless museum artefacts
A rat infestation is threatening one of India’s finest collections of royal artefacts at the country’s own Albert Hall – now a museum in the Rajasthani city of Jaipur.
Scientists discover why Mt Everest is still getting taller
Scientists may finally have an explanation for why Mount Everest is so much taller than the other great Himalayan peaks – and still growing.
Le Pen's future in balance as embezzlement trial starts
French far-right leader denies she misused EU funds
Israel launches 'limited' ground raids in Lebanon
US says IDF troop positions indicate a full-scale invasion could be imminent as Hezbollah says it is ready for a fight
'I was complacent about the risk from prostate cancer'
Research shows that 69 per cent of Black adults are unaware that Black men have twice the risk of developing the disease. Nadine White hears from some of those who have survived it
Woman, 96, convicted over dangerous driving death
A 96-year-old woman – thought to be the oldest person convicted of causing death by dangerous driving – has been given a suspended sentence after she killed another woman outside her bridge club.
BBC apologises to Strictly star over bullying complaint
The result of the BBC’s investigation into Giovanni Pernice’s Strictly Come Dancing behaviour has been revealed, leading to an apology for Amanda Abbington.
