In a farewell address at the Tory conference, Sunak urges party members to move past divisions and support the next leader

Rishi Sunak, the outgoing leader of the Conservative Party, delivered a poignant farewell speech at the party’s conference in Birmingham, calling for unity among party members as he prepares to step down. In a significant departure from tradition, Sunak chose not to give a lengthy end-of-conference address but instead emphasized the importance of solidarity in the face of leadership changes.

Sunak opened his speech with an apology to party members for their defeat in the recent general election, stating, “I am only sorry that your efforts could not deliver the results you deserved.” His remarks prompted a supportive response from the audience, with one member shouting, “It wasn’t you.”

In an effort to maintain the party’s historical narrative, Sunak urged members not to let Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer “rewrite history.” He took the opportunity to highlight the Conservatives’ 14 years in power, contrasting their achievements with the current challenges facing the party.

The atmosphere in Birmingham’s Symphony Hall was lively, with party members eagerly awaiting Sunak’s remarks. The venue, transformed with dimmed lights and neon Conservative logos, set the stage for what felt more like a celebration than a farewell. Jokes about Starmer’s past indiscretions drew laughter from the crowd, as Sunak remarked on the “hot ticket” nature of the conference, quipping that Starmer might need someone to buy him a ticket.

However, the crux of Sunak’s speech revolved around a plea for unity within the party. “We must always remember what unites us rather than obsessing about where we might differ,” he declared. He cautioned that internal conflicts could lead to the Conservatives losing power, stating, “When we turn in on ourselves, we lose; and the country ends up with a Labour government.”

Sunak stressed the importance of supporting the next leader, who will be elected from a field of four candidates: Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, James Cleverly, and Tom Tugendhat. “If the Conservatives are going to get back into power, then our new leader is going to need your support – especially when the going gets tough,” he said.

As he concluded his address, Sunak encouraged members to look to the future, hoping to ensure that one of the candidates becomes not just the next party leader but also the next Prime Minister. His call for unity was met with warm applause, punctuated by chants of “Rishi! Rishi!” from some supporters. Yet, despite the festive atmosphere and free refreshments, there remained an undercurrent of uncertainty among attendees about the party’s future direction.

While Sunak made his exit as leader, the candidates vying for his position continued their campaigns nearby, suggesting that the battle for the Conservative Party’s future is just beginning.

SKY NEWS

As the Conservative Party conference begins in Birmingham, the atmosphere is filled with anticipation regarding the future leadership of the party, which is currently facing historic lows in support. Four candidates—Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, Tom Tugendhat, and James Cleverly—are vying for the top position, each preparing to make a significant impact through their speeches.

Kemi Badenoch, once the frontrunner, is now trailing behind Jenrick but aims to present an authentic, less rehearsed style. Tom Tugendhat has been extensively practising his speech, even testing it on his children to ensure it resonates with the audience. Meanwhile, Robert Jenrick, the current favourite, has secluded himself for intense preparation, hoping to move beyond superficial impressions. James Cleverly feels at ease in the conference environment, having hosted social events for his supporters.

Despite the high stakes, many party members exhibit a lacklustre mood. Some former MPs express an obligation to attend rather than excitement, reflecting difficulties in rallying enthusiasm. However, others maintain optimism, pointing to potential missteps from Labour as opportunities for the Conservatives to reclaim support.

This conference is being compared to pivotal moments in Conservative history, such as David Cameron’s impromptu speech in 2005 that propelled him to leadership. The candidates recognize that a strong performance could significantly alter their prospects in the leadership race, emphasizing the potential for this event to shape the party’s direction and influence the future of British politics.

THE NEW STATESMAN

In a recent article, George Eaton argues that the Conservative Party remains in denial about its electoral failures and the changing preferences of voters. Despite the party’s disastrous defeat in the last election, the four leadership candidates—Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, Tom Tugendhat, and James Cleverly—are presenting outdated, Thatcherite economic policies focused on tax cuts and deregulation, failing to adapt to public sentiment which favours economic interventionism.

Badenoch’s controversial remarks on maternity pay and potential NHS charges illustrate the disconnect from current voter priorities. While Jenrick attempts to highlight the importance of “common ground” in British politics, he, like the others, clings to a pro-austerity stance that does not align with the electorate’s leaning towards higher public spending and public ownership.

Eaton points out that while the Tories are keen to advocate for tax reductions, they lack credible plans on how to fund them, often resorting to vague notions of efficiency savings. Labour, capitalizing on these contradictions, positions itself as the party of investment versus Tory cuts, potentially swaying public opinion back to its favour.

The article suggests that the Conservative Party is talking amongst itself rather than addressing the electorate’s needs. Voters currently prefer higher public spending over tax cuts, reflecting a significant shift in priorities. Eaton raises the question of whether any Tory leader can successfully pivot their policies to align with voter sentiment, hinting that the party may be resigned to a prolonged period in opposition, even as Labour faces its challenges.

THE GUARDIAN

In his latest piece, John Crace critiques the current state of the Conservative Party as it gathers for its conference in Birmingham, highlighting a troubling trend among leadership candidates to compete in absurdity rather than presenting grounded policies. With Boris Johnson stealing the spotlight through a sensational claim in his memoir about a fictional plan to invade the Netherlands during the pandemic, the other candidates find themselves overshadowed and boxed in, unable to match his outrageousness.

Crace describes the conference atmosphere as a “mephitic swamp,” where narcissism runs rampant and serious discourse is abandoned. Candidates like Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch attempt to capture attention, but their statements often come off as desperate and misguided. Jenrick fails to impress with his moderate tone, while Badenoch’s inflammatory comments about immigrants and maternity leave raise eyebrows and backlash from her competitors. The overall effect is one of a party disconnected from reality, stuck in an echo chamber where only extreme ideas are considered viable.

Despite the chaotic backdrop, attendance at the conference is lacklustre, reflecting the party’s diminished appeal. Crace notes that conversations focus more on past leaders and failed policies than on future strategies, and there’s a clear avoidance of contentious topics like Brexit and Liz Truss. The conference illustrates the Conservatives’ struggle to regain public trust, with Crace suggesting they are still grappling with the consequences of their previous governance and the reality that voters desire substantive change rather than recycled Thatcherism.