Kemi Badenoch has officially entered the Conservative Party leadership race as the nominations deadline approaches. She joins other contenders such as Dame Priti Patel, Mel Stride, Tom Tugendhat, James Cleverly, and Robert Jenrick in the race for the top position. The nominations are set to close at 2:30 pm on Monday, according to the rules set by the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs and the party board.
In an article written for The Times, Kemi Badenoch pointed out the “incoherent” policies that led to the party’s worst general election result. She criticized the trend of successive Conservative prime ministers allowing Britain to become “increasingly liberal” and tolerating what she called “nasty identity politics.” Badenoch emphasized the need for a renewal within the party and expressed her goal to rebuild it by 2030.
While some contenders like James Cleverly and Dame Priti Patel focused on the need for unity and an end to infighting within the Tory party, Badenoch raised a more profound question about the essence of being a Conservative in today’s political landscape. She highlighted the significance of defining what the party stands for and what it aims to achieve, pointing out the existence of the Reform party as a testament to this necessity.
On the other hand, Suella Braverman, former home secretary, announced that she had enough support to enter the leadership race but decided to withdraw due to being labeled as “mad, bad, and dangerous.” Braverman expressed her disillusionment with running for the Tory Party leadership when most MPs disagreed with her approach.
To compete in the leadership race, contenders need a proposer, seconder, and eight other supporters. The field will be narrowed down to four candidates by the parliamentary party, who will then present their case at the Conservative Party conference scheduled from September 29 to October 2. The final two candidates chosen by the parliamentary party will face a vote from party members in an online ballot closing on October 31, with the results announced on November 2.
