Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has vowed to scrap stamp duty on all homes as part of a conference speech in which she said only the Tories could deliver a stronger economy and “stronger borders”.
To much applause, she said: “At the heart of a Conservative Britain is a country where people who wish to own their first home, can. But our housing market is not working as it should. The next Conservative government will abolish stamp duty.”
The surprise announcement was one of many tax cuts Ms Badenoch promised if the Tories win the next general election, and that includes reversing Labour’s inheritance tax on farm estates worth £3m or more – the “tractor tax”.
Outlining her “blueprint for Britain”, she received a huge round of applause when she said that farmers were the "backbone of our country" and "we fought for them before - we will fight for them again".
In another major policy announcement, she promised to ban doctors from striking, stating that industrial action has kept waiting lists high for far too long. “Enough is enough,” she said.
Conservative conference 2025
- Kemi Badenoch vows to axe stamp duty on all home sales
- Analysis: Stamp duty abolition is exactly what Badenoch needed to turn the tide
- Tory leader promises to ban doctors from going on strike
- Badenoch outlines £47bn in Tory cuts
- Badenoch says she will scrap Labour tax rises on schools, farms, and family businesses
- Key takeaways from speech
Badenoch vows to scrap stamp duty for primary homes in bid to free up housing market
16:15 , Bryony Gooch
Badenoch promises to abolish stamp duty in bid to free up housing market
Recap: Tories accused of being in 'complete denial' by Labour
16:00 , Bryony GoochLabour accused Kemi Badenoch of being in “complete denial” after her speech to the Conservative party conference.
Anna Turley, Labour’s chairwoman, said: “Kemi Badenoch is in complete denial. The public saw the Tories’ disastrous blueprint for Britain across their 14 years of failure in government – and the Conservatives still won’t apologise for the mess they left.
“Kemi Badenoch set herself a new ‘golden economic rule’ today and broke it immediately. It’s the same old Tories, with the same old policies without a plan. They didn’t work then and you can’t trust them now.
“Only Labour can renew Britain. Real wages have grown more in the first 10 months of this Labour Government than in the first 10 years under the Tories. Only Labour can be trusted to grow our economy, secure our borders, and make working people better off.”
Watch: Kemi Badenoch pledges to abolish stamp duty on all home sales
15:45 , Bryony GoochGovernment could crack down on chants at pro-Palestine protests
15:30 , Bryony GoochThe Government could launch a crackdown on some of the chants used at pro-Palestine protests, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The Prime Minister’s intervention came after pro-Gaza marchers went ahead with demonstrations on Tuesday, the second anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 attacks on Israel.
The anniversary came less than a week after knife-wielding terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, killed two men at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester.
During a trade mission to India, Sir Keir was asked what action he would take after the protesters defied his calls to step down their demonstration on the anniversary of October 7.
He pointed to work being carried out by Shabana Mahmood to review protest laws, adding: “I’ve asked the Home Secretary to look more broadly at what other powers are available, how they’re being used, and whether they should be changed in any way.
“I think we need to go further than that in relation to some of the chants that are going on at some of these protests.”
Opinion: Robert Jenrick – keep my home town out of your mouth
15:15 , Jane Dalton
Robert Jenrick – keep Birmingham, my beloved hometown, out of your mouth
NHS drug prices to rise as Starmer caves in to Trump demands
15:00 , Jane Dalton
NHS drug prices set to rise as Starmer to cave on Trump demands
Labour slates 'same old' Tory policies
14:44 , Jane DaltonLabour accused Mrs Badenoch of being in "complete denial" after her speech to the Conservative party conference.
Anna Turley, Labour's chairwoman, said: "Kemi Badenoch is in complete denial. The public saw the Tories' disastrous blueprint for Britain across their 14 years of failure in government - and the Conservatives still won't apologise for the mess they left.
"Kemi Badenoch set herself a new 'golden economic rule' today and broke it immediately. It's the same old Tories, with the same old policies without a plan. They didn't work then and you can't trust them now.”
Data error gives Reeves extra £3bn for Budget
14:26 , Jane Dalton... but she still has to find up to £40bn:
Rachel Reeves handed rare boost as chancellor given extra £3bn for Budget
Greens say Tory leader 'painfully out of touch'
14:11 , Jane DaltonGreen Party leader Zack Polanski said Mrs Badenoch had been "speaking to the room, not listening to the nation".
He said: "While she got rounds of applause from men in suits sitting in front of her, she still sounds painfully out of touch with those dressed and ready to work for this country."
He said blaming immigrants was a distraction.
Kemi Badenoch blames those crossing borders for our problems. It’s a lie aimed to distract.
— Zack Polanski (@ZackPolanski) October 8, 2025
The real issue is a system protecting the super-rich while nurses & carers can’t make ends meet. Tax wealth fairly, fund public services properly. This is how we give Britain hope again.
Scrapping taxes would cost £21bn, against £47bn of planned savings, say Tories
13:59 , Jane DaltonThe Conservatives estimate that scrapping VAT on private schools, reversing changes to inheritance tax for farms and scrapping the carbon tax as well as other conference promises would cost a total of £21.1 billion.
But they say shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride had identified £47 billion of savings in his own conference speech on Monday.
Scrapping stamp duty will cost £4.5bn, experts say – but Tories estimate twice as much
13:50 , Jane DaltonThe Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has estimated that abolishing stamp duty on primary residences will cost around £4.5 billion.
But, claiming that chancellor Rachel Reeves was planning a significant increase in stamp duty, the Conservatives said they had "cautiously" estimated that the policy would cost £9 billion.
Earlier this year, an expert from the Tony Blair Institute argued that stamp duty needed reforming:
Stamp duty desperately needs reform – and here’s how to do it
Key takeaways of Badenoch speech
13:39 , Jane Dalton
Key takeaways from Badenoch’s Tory conference speech as she vows to axe stamp duty
Quiet inbox for journalists another sign of Tory struggles
13:30 , Archie MitchellAfter Kemi Badenoch's policy-heavy conference speech, I would have expected as a journalist to have an inbox thronging with emails.
Usually, the leader of the Conservative Party pledging everything from abolishing stamp duty to banning doctors' strikes would warrant responses from all corners of the think tank and lobbying worlds.
But just three think tanks have today sent responses to the stamp duty announcement, all fans of Ms Badenoch's policy.
And, other than lines from Labour and the Greens, barely anyone seems to have bothered with a response to Ms Badenoch's speech at all.
Badenoch reserves her criticism for Starmer over Farage
12:55 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch’s address brought to a close a conference that had been overshadowed by questions about her leadership and the threat from Reform UK.
The day before her speech, Nigel Farage’s party announced 20 councillors had defected from the Tories, while a poll published by More in Common on Wednesday showed the Conservatives continue to languish in third place.
But the major defection that some in the party feared would take place on Wednesday morning did not come, while Mrs Badenoch attacked her opponents, vowing to reverse Labour policies and accusing Sir Keir Starmer, Nigel Farage, Jeremy Corbyn and Sir Ed Davey of “shaking the same magic money tree”.
Although she dismissed Reform as promising “free beer tomorrow”, Mrs Badenoch reserved most of her attacks for Labour, pledging to reverse a swathe of policies introduced by the new Government.
These included abolishing VAT on private schools, reversing changes to inheritance tax for farms and scrapping the carbon tax.
Tories 'peddling the same fantasy economics', says Labour
12:45 , Holly EvansIn response to Kemi Badenoch’s speech at the Conservative Party conference, the Labour Party accused them of “peddling the same fantasy economics”.
They said on social media: “The Conservatives haven't learnt anything from the economy-crashing days of Liz Truss.
“They should be apologising, not peddling the same fantasy economics. The Tories simply can't be trusted.”
The Conservatives haven't learnt anything from the economy-crashing days of Liz Truss. They should be apologising, not peddling the same fantasy economics. The Tories simply can't be trusted.
— The Labour Party (@UKLabour) October 8, 2025
'We're not obsessed by Reform', Jenrick says
12:43 , Holly EvansIn response to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch making very few references to Nigel Farage's rival right-wing party, shadow justice minister Robert Jenrick said: “We’re not obsessed by Reform.”
It is in sharp contrast with Sir Keir Starmer last week, who referenced Reform UK on several occasions during his Labour party speech.
In her few remarks, Badenoch accused Nigel Farage of "following the same failed playbook" on economy with "no honesty" about challenges ahead.
In another dig at Reform;s leader, she quotes George Bernard Shaw: “Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig likes it".
Kemi Badenoch promises to scrap climate change act
12:30 , Millie CookeKemi Badenoch has accused the government of choosing a "slogan of net zero over a serious strategy of a stronger economy".
Promising to reverse the drive to reach net zero and scrap the climate change act, she said the Tories would replace it with a "proper strategy that actually works".
"A strategy that protects the natural environment and the landscapes we love. A strategy that takes sensible steps to tackle climate change without bankrupting ourselves in the process. We will cut bills for families, slash costs for businesses", she said.
While she denied she is a "climate change sceptic", she said she is a "net zero sceptic", adding: "Britain has already done more than any major country to cut emissions. But we cannot have a law which will make this country poorer, while creating jobs abroad and increasing our reliance on hostile states.
"So we will axe the carbon tax on electricity, we will scrap Labour's wind and solar levy and instead we will give you our cheap power plan."
And that’s a wrap…
12:20 , Holly EvansOur political correspondent Archie Mitchell says:
Kemi Badenoch is enjoying the longest standing ovation of her speech yet after calling on Conservatives to stand with her in the fight to build a better Britain.
If there was before her speech, there is now little doubt she has the backing of her members and MPs to go on as leader - especially after her pledge to cut stamp duty.
She was facing major questions about the party’s directions under her leadership. But few will come away from the conference in Manchester feeling like they have not been answered.
Badenoch promises to abolish stamp duty to make 'dream of home ownership open to all'
12:19 , Millie CookeKmi Badenoch has promised to abolish stamp duty in order to make the "dream of home ownership open to all" and "unlock a fairer and more aspirational society".
"The next Conservative government will abolish stamp duty on your home. It will be gone", she said. "That is how we will help achieve the dream of home ownership for millions. Home ownership should be a dream thats open to everyone. Abolishing stamp duty on your home is a key to unlock a fairer and more aspirational society. We cannot unpick every tax."
She added: "Scrapping stamp duty will benefit people of all ages because conservatism must speak to all generations. The young professional buying their first flat. The couple looking for somewhere to bring up their first baby. The growing family, hunting for their forever home. The pensioner who wants somewhere a little smaller or maybe to move nearer to the grandchildren.
"No longer will they be punished with a tax that is a barrier to doing the right thing for them, their family and for society."
Analysis: Stamp duty abolition is exactly what Badenoch needed to turn the tide
12:13 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox says:
Home ownership is the most Conservative of dreams so Kemi Badenoch’s announcement to abolish stamp duty is exactly what was needed to unite her party behind her.
She needed something big and this has been a speech laden with new policies but getting rid of one of the most hated taxes will be a challenge to Labour and also Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
We were told we would need to wait two years for policies but Ms Badenoch in the end under pressure has delivered in less than a year.
Watch: Kemi Badenoch pledges to abolish stamp duty on all home sales in Tory conference speech
12:12 , Holly EvansBadenoch vows to axe stamp duty on all home sales
12:08 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch has pledged to axe stamp duty if she is elected as the country’s next leader.
"We must free up our housing market because a society where no one can afford to buy or move is a society where social mobility is dead", Ms Badenoch says.
Stating that home ownership should be a “dream for everyone”, she said: "At the heart of a Conservative Britain is a country where people who wish to own their first home, can. But our housing market is not working as it should."
The money for this policy will be found from the cuts previously announced in her speech
Motability vehicles only for those with 'serious disabilities', Badenoch says
12:05 , Holly EvansMotability cars are “not for people with ADHD”, Kemi Badenoch said as she told her party’s conference the Tories would restrict eligibility for them.
“We will restrict motability vehicles to people with serious disabilities. Those cars are not for people with ADHD,” she said.
She also criticised time “wasted” by police on non-crime hate incidents.
“Conference, we are going to free the police to protect the public, not to chase political correctness,” she said.
Kemi Badenoch outlines £47bn in Tory cuts
12:03 , Archie MitchellKemi Badenoch has outlined £47bn of cuts an incoming Tory government would make.
The Tory leader pointed to her top team and the measures each of her shadow cabinet colleagues will make to save cash.
She said: “Priti (Patel) has earmarked £7bn from the overseas aid budget.
“Alex (Burghart) has identified £8bn of cuts to the civil service. And Helen (Whately) has found £23bn from welfare.”
She promised that under a new “golden economic rule” half of the savings would go towards paying down Britain’s deficit, while the other half will be used to cut taxes.
Analysis: Margaret Thatcher would have been proud of high street announcement
12:01 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox says:
The former prime minister’s formative years was in her father’s corner shop in Grantham.
So on the 100th anniversary of her birth it seems appropriate that her latest successor as Tory leader has announced an end to business rates for shops on the high street.
In reality, this is maybe a last roll of the dice to save high street shops being killed off by competition from Amazon and other online providers. Ms Badenoch noted that she started working life in a McDonalds on the high street.
Watch: Kemi Badenoch echoes Margaret Thatcher with call to reverse Labour taxes
12:00 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch promises to ban doctors from going on strike
11:59 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch has promised to ban doctors from going on strike, telling the Tory party conference: "Enough is enough".
She said the Conservative Party is developing "detailed plans to make things work better" across Britain's public services.
"In the NHS, industrial action has kept waiting lists high for far too long. Enough is enough. We will ban doctors from going on strike", she said.
Badenoch vows to scrap Labour tax rises on farms, schools and family businesses
11:53 , Millie CookeKemi Badenoch has said she will scrap Labour’s “vindictive” tax rises on schools, farms, and family businesses.
There is a huge round of applause when she says that farmers are the "backbone of our country" and "we fought for them before - we will fight for them again".
She also promised to cut the civil service back to the size it was before Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic if the Tories win the next election, saying that “fixing the state is next in our blueprint”.
“Since Brexit and Covid, the size of the civil service has swollen by over a third. There are now more than half a million civil servants.
“And have you noticed this government working a third better for you? I don’t think so.
“So we are going to reverse this. We are going to cut the civil service back to where it was in 2016.”
Analysis: There’s a missing piece to Kemi Badenoch’s pledge to reverse Labour measures
11:52 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox writes:
The Tory leader has said she will reverse the family farm tax, the VAT on private school fees, the family firm tax and the employment rights legislation.
But the big ticket item which many believe is killing the economy is the national insurance rise on employer contributions.
It has suppressed wages and reduced job vacancies. But the Tories know they cannot promise to reverse this because it will cost £20bn for the economy.
Badenoch takes aim at Shabana Mahmood over 'newfound tough image'
11:51 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch has taken aim at Shabana Mahmood, casting doubt over the home secretary's "newfound tough image".
Speaking about the Labour home secretary - who is seen as a rising star in the party - The Tory leader said: "We have got the measure of them conference. Just look at Shabana Mahmood, the new home secretary, she's tried to convince us that she's tough.... right...
"I remember when Shabana Mahmood tried to stop foreign criminals being deported - do you remember that Rob? I remember when she laid down on the ground in front of a Sainsbury's protesting because they were selling food from Israel. So forgive me if I treat this newfound tough image with a little scepticism."
Tory leader claims 'everything wrong' with Labour government
11:44 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch has taken a swipe at “weak” Sir Keir Starmer’s government, listing the resignations and sacking of various Labour ministers in the last year.
"An anti-corruption minister under investigation for corruption,” she said. "A homelessness minister who made her own tenants homeless.
"A housing secretary sacked for dodging housing taxes." She then referred to Lord Mandelson’s resignation as ambassador to the U.S.
Labour is "everything wrong" with politics, the Tory leader claims, and is destroying business and piling debt onto future generations.
She says the "November budget of doom" will "give us all something to cry about" with higher taxes, and that businesses such as BMW and Merck are pulling investment from the UK.
Analysis: Badenoch attempts to remind members what the party stands for
11:40 , Holly EvansOur political correspondent Millie Cooke says:
Kemi Badenoch is attempting to remind members who the Tory party is, after a lacklustre first year in office where its narrative has entirely failed to cut through with voters.
Admitting that the party “didn’t always fight hard enough for what we believed in”, she said the Tories must “remember who we are fighting for”.
“We are fighting for people who work hard and do the right thing”, she said. “We are fighting for people who ask, ‘why do sickness benefits pay more than the minimum wage, more than the living wage even’.
“We are fighting for small business owners, people who take risks and get things done. We are fighting for the victims of crime, that want to know we are on their side ,that criminals will face the full force of the law.
“We are fighting for the farmers putting food on our tables. These are our people conference, they are the backbone of our country. We fought for them before and we will fight for them again.”
Another standing ovation for Badenoch
11:38 , Holly EvansOur political correspondent Archie Mitchell says:
It was only ever going to be die-hard Kemi Badenoch fans who hung out in Manchester until her conference speech.
So it is no surprise that she is on her second standing ovation of the speech.
The Tory leader called on her party to remember "who we are fighting for", mentioning farmers among others. The room erupted in cheers and those in the room got to their feet.
Badenoch criticises 'broken immigration model'
11:38 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch said that she wants "brilliant minds and great talents" to come to the UK, but at the moment hundreds of thousands are coming with "no skills at all".
"This broken immigration model is heaping pressure on our public sector," she says.
Referring to Labour’s ‘one-in-one-out’ immigration deal with France, she said this "ends up letting 100 people in, for every one who leaves".
Referring to the action taken by previous Conservative governments on education and employment, Badenoch says the party is fighting for hard-working people, such as small business owners, and victims of crime.
"We fought for them before, and we will fight for them again," she adds.
Kemi Badenoch makes trans jibe while making case for economic ambition
11:31 , Millie CookeKemi Badenoch made a trans jibe while attempting to make the case for a more economically ambitious country.
The gender-critical Tory leader said: “Britain is stagnating while the world around us moves on. We are competing with restless and ambitious countries around the world.
“We are competing with a billion people in India striving to become middle class. We are competing with economic success stories like Poland….
“While Britain was redefining what a woman is, China was building five nuclear reactors.”
Analysis: Kemi Badenoch makes the case for reasoned politics
11:29 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox says:
In a world of social media posts, soundbites and off the cuff politics, Kemi Badenoch is using her speech to make the case for a more reasoned rational form of politics.
Her leadership has always been about making the case for policies rather than starting with the policies and finding the rationale later.
Her problem is that this “stronger borders, stronger economy” step by step approach requires time. And Ms Badenoch may not have much of that left.
Badenoch calls for stronger borders to begin Tory speech
11:25 , Holly EvansOpening her conference speech, Kemi Badenoch says: “Only the Tory party can deliver the stronger economy and stronger borders that will give people a more prosperous future.”
Listing the struggles facing her party during the 1940s and 1980s, she said that the current battle facing government was to “restore a strong economy, secure our borders and and ensure our children inherit a country that works”.
She continued: “Weak borders allow people to exploit our generosity, put our housing and public services under pressure and fracture who we are as a nation.
“A weak economy and weak borders mean a steady decline - I reject that fate," she said.
She added: “Together we Conservatives will save Britain from that fate. We can do it together as we are a strong team.”
Tories belt out God Save Our King
11:18 , Holly EvansOur political correspondent Archie Mitchell writes:
The conference hall just stood for a rendition of God Save Our King.
Kemi Badenoch is coming up...
Live: Kemi Badenoch delivers keynote Tory conference speech as coup rumours grow
11:10 , Holly EvansKeeping to time not Kemi's strong suit
11:06 , Holly EvansOur political correspondent Archie Mitchell says:
Kemi Badenoch has faced repeated briefings in the press that she is bad at time-keeping.
Apparently she is late fairly regularly to meetings with stakeholders.
So a 15-minute delay to her 11.00am speech will do little to dispel the idea that time-keeping is not her strong suit.
Tories bribe journalists with free bacon sandwiches to stay for the speech
10:57 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox reports from the conference:
There seems to have been some concern about journalists leaving the Tory conference early and missing the leader’s big speech on the last day.
Indeed the already sparse media area is noticeably more empty this morning.
So in an apparent move to encourage hacks to stay a few extra hours to listen to Kemi Badenoch, the Tories have taken the unprecedented move of providing breakfast with a choice of bacon, sausage or hash brown sandwiches.
Sadly, many of the sandwiches have remained untouched because of a shortage of available takers.
It looks like she's done it...
10:54 , Holly EvansOur political correspondent Archie Mitchell writes:
It did not look likely on the route into the Manchester conference centre hosting the Tories this morning, but Kemi Badenoch appears to have filled the room for her conference speech.
We’ll be bringing you all the latest.
Analysis: Kemi Badenoch needs a speech which will ensure it is not her last as leader
10:53 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox says:
This has not been a disastrous conference for the Tory leader even though the halls in Manchester Central were largely empty and the little interest there was among visitors was for her would-be replacement Robert Jenrick.
Some hope that this will just prove to be a down year and with her decisions on leaving the European Convention of Human Rights and deporting more foreigners, Ms Badenoch has laid down some building blocks for the future.
But as she prepares for the most important speech of her political career so far many questions remain over whether Ms Badenoch is the right leader.
Tory MPs have been debating and at times angrily arguing this very question this week. While some think replacing yet another leader would be madness, the fact is that she has not done enough to silence the critics.
This makes her speech shortly absolutely crucial to launch a year of fightback where she can showcase that she is the person to deliver a Tory recovery.
Watch: Starmer urges business leaders to seize opportunities of Indian trade deal
10:42 , Holly EvansLabour says Badenock has 'brass neck' asking public to trust Tories with finances
10:38 , Holly EvansLabour said the Tory leader should be apologising for the economic turmoil caused by former prime minister Liz Truss’s mini budget.
A spokesperson said: “Kemi Badenoch has some brass neck.
“It’s astounding that her latest speech still contains no apology for the Conservatives crashing the economy, which left families saddled with sky-high mortgages and rising prices in the supermarket.”
The party said the Conservatives’ “fantasy” savings had been worked out “on the back of the same fag packet (Reform UK leader) Nigel Farage has been writing on”.
“The Tories are all over the place, it shows they’ve learned nothing and still can’t be trusted with the public finances,” the spokesperson said.
Badenoch to unveil ‘golden rule’ for economy as she attempts to win back Tory credibility destroyed by Truss
10:31 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch is set to announce a “golden rule” for the economy in her conference speech on Wednesday as she desperately tries to restore the Conservative Party’s credibility on the nation’s finances.
With millions of Britons still reeling from the impact of Liz Truss’ disastrous mini-Budget, the Tory leader will attempt to restore voters’ trust in the party’s handling of the economy by pledging that half of all money saved from cuts must be put towards shrinking the deficit.
The other half would go on spending or cutting taxes to boost the economy, under the move that she will pledge to introduce if the Tories are re-elected to government.
Read the full article:
Badenoch to unveil ‘golden rule’ in bid to restore economic credibility lost by Truss
Tories expect to see improvement in the polls after conference
10:16 , Holly EvansThe Conservative Party chairman said he expected to see an improvement in the polls following the Tory conference this week.
Kevin Hollinrake said: “We’ve always said we want to take the route of developing the policies properly.”
He added: “It’s right to do the hard yards, the hard work, and make sure those policies are properly deliverable before we announce them.
“That’s what we’ve seen this week. I expect that to move the needle in terms of the polls. That’s what we want to see clearly.
“I think those messages have been very well received this week by our members, very optimistic view of where we are today from our members and indeed the future.
“So yeah, we expect things to improve in terms of our political fortunes.”
'Fightback' against Reform has begun, says Hollinrake
10:09 , Holly EvansReform UK offers “a lot of bluster”, but the Conservatives need to “make our case” and present a positive vision, Kevin Hollinrake said.
Asked whether the lack of a major defection to Reform meant the party was not as big a threat to the Tories as it claimed to be, the Conservative chairman said: “There’s a lot of bluster from Reform, to be quite honest with you.
“But it’s important that we make our case. We’re trying to look forward and not just stand here and criticise any other party.
“We want to talk about a positive vision for the UK.
“That’s what Kemi Badenoch is doing today, talking about a stronger economy which allows us to control spending, which will mean lower taxes and lower debt.”
He added that the “fightback” against Reform had “started all this week”.
Starmer needs to 'stand up for Britain' over China, says Tory chairman
09:59 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer needs to come to Parliament and “explain himself” over the collapse of the trial of two alleged Chinese spies, the Conservative Party chairman has said.
Kevin Hollinrake said: “Keir Starmer does need to explain himself to Parliament and to the country.
“This is people spying at the heart of government, and we are not willing to say that China is a threat to our national security.
“The Government’s not willing to say that.
“It’s totally wrong and it is a pattern of behaviour for Keir Starmer when we’ve seen, for example, the Chinese super embassy in the heart of London, which is not in the interest of national security.
“Our national security is willing to bend over backwards for the Chinese government in terms of allowing that to go through.
“I think that’s totally wrong. Keir Starmer needs to stand up for Britain.”
Starmer visits Bollywood film studio during trip to Mumbai
09:47 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer toured Yash Raj Films, a Bollywood studio, during the first day of his visit to Mumbai.
The Prime Minister was met by Akshaye Widhani, the studio’s chief executive, and Bollywood star Rani Mukerji as he arrived at Yash Raj’s headquarters.
Sir Keir also visited a large studio facility and was shown a trailer for an upcoming Netflix documentary on Hindi cinema.
He also sat behind an audio mixing desk and was played a song from the soundtrack of the 1995 romance film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, known by its initials DDLJ, or under the English language name The Brave-Hearted Will Take The Bride.
The film, produced Yash Raj, is a favourite Hindi language feature and is said to be the longest running film in the history of Indian cinema, as it has been shown continuously at a Mumbai cinema since its release.
Sir Keir was then given a surprise introduction to the film’s composer Lalit Pandit, while Mr Widhani told the Prime Minister that his music has the power to make India film fans “go ballistic”.
Can Kemi fill the room?
09:33 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
It’s a low bar, but a key test for Kemi Badenoch will be whether she can fill the room for her conference speech.
A slew of journalists, MPs and activists have left Manchester ahead of her headline appearance, which was bizarrely booked for the final day.
Robert Jenrick spoke on Tuesday to a fairly crowded room, though there still were pockets of empty seats.
But Ms Badenoch has lacked the draw of her former leadership rival, and is fighting an uphill battle after many early departures.
It could be an awkward look for the struggling Tory leader, and cement the view that Mr Jenrick is the future for the Conservatives.
Defections are 'running for hills when times are tough', says Hollinrake
09:19 , Athena StavrouKemi Badenoch has “all the time she needs” to turn around the Conservative Party’s poor poll ratings, its chairman has said.
Kevin Hollinrake told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “As far as I’m concerned, she’s got all the time she needs. I don’t think it will take years to change the poll ratings.”
He said Mrs Badenoch would “absolutely” be giving the leader’s speech at next year’s party conference.
“Kemi Badenoch has got the backbone to do what needs to be done with this country. She’s got the strength of character. She says what she means, and means what she says,” he said.
Of a series of councillor defections to Reform UK during the conference, he said: “Some people run for the hills when times are tough. I have no time for that kind of stuff. I have no time for people who haven’t got the stomach for a fight.”
He added: “(They’ve) run for elections under a Conservative ticket with Conservative support. I think it’s completely wrong when you show that disloyalty.”
Jenrick is engaging in a leadership campaign, says Starmer
09:07 , Athena StavrouRobert Jenrick is “clearly just engaging in a leadership campaign”, Sir Keir Starmer has said, after the senior Tory complained he “didn’t see another white face” during a visit to an area of Birmingham.
Asked about the Conservative frontbencher’s claims as he travelled to Mumbai, Sir Keir told journalists: “It’s quite hard to take anything that Robert Jenrick says seriously, he’s clearly still running his leadership campaign.
“I think that what Andy Street said was right. Andy Street obviously was mayor for a long time and knows the area very, very well.
“We’re working hard on questions of integration, but we need no lessons or lectures from Robert Jenrick on any of this. He’s clearly just engaging in a leadership campaign.”
Tory coup speculation overshadows Kemi Badenoch's keynote conference speech
08:50 , Athena StavrouRumours of a Tory leadership coup are threatening to overshadow Kemi Badenoch’s speech at the Conservative Party conference.
Reports have shed light on the deep concern from within Badenoch’s shadow cabinet, with rumours some shadow ministers are considering resigning to spark a leadership contest.
According to The Times, Badenoch’s team is aware of a WhatsApp group with 14 Tory MPs who want to oust her.
The paper was told some are considering submitting letters of no confidence as soon as November 2, ahead of the probable prospect of huge losses at local elections next May.
But allies of Badenoch have warned having yet another leader would look “insane” and hope her conference “policy blitz” has bought her some time.
Tories were 'too soft' in power, party chairman says
08:26 , Athena StavrouThe Conservatives were “too soft” when they were in power, the party’s chairman Kevin Hollinrake has said, as he alluded to the Tory record on welfare spending.
Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Hollinrake said: “I think we did many good things in 14 years, but if I look at the things we got wrong, I think we have been too soft at times.”
He said the party had not shown enough “tough love” or told people they have to be responsible for themselves.
“I think possibly through the Covid process, the cost-of-living issues we had, we threw hundreds of billions of pounds at the economy to try and save jobs and businesses, but we probably went too far.
“I think certainly in terms of the patterns of behaviour around welfare, I think too many people have left their place of work because of things like mild anxiety and depression, if you’ve got those kind of conditions, of course you need support, but the best place for you is work.”
He said rumours about Kemi Badenoch’s leadership and reports in The Times of a group of shadow ministers plotting to challenge her was typical of any political party.
Mr Hollinrake said: “All these rumours often circle around political parties at all times.”
Kemi Badenoch joins young Conservatives in pub singalong of ‘Sweet Caroline’
08:14 , Athena StavrouParty chairman tries to downplay Truss leadership
07:56 , Athena StavrouThe Conservative Party chairman has tried to play down the severity of Liz Truss’s spell as prime minister, on the final day of the party’s conference in Manchester.
Kevin Hollinrake was asked on BBC Breakfast how the Conservatives could criticise Labour over the fiscal responsibility given Ms Truss’s record.
Mr Hollinrake replied: “Liz Truss lasted about 49 days I think. I don’t think it’s reflective of the general economic philosophy of the Conservatives.”
He then denied the economy was still suffering from the effects of the former prime minister’s policies.
“That’s nonsense,” he told the broadcaster.
“Of course, because of the Bank of England, that lasted simply months.”
He said he believed policies announced by leader Kemi Badenoch would restore voters’ belief in the Tories.
He said: “There’s been a drum beat of announcements through this conference and there’ll be a drum beat of announcements after this conference, and I fully expect that will restore the confidence people have in us and make sure we can again challenge clearly the Labour leadership and Labour Government.”
Mr Hollinrake added he was “determined” to reverse falling membership numbers and improve Tory polling figures.
Badenoch to put economy at heart of speech
07:40 , Athena StavrouIn her speech on Wednesday, Kemi Badenoch will turn to the economy, setting out a “golden rule” that half of all money saved from cuts must be put towards driving down the deficit.
The other half would go on spending or cutting taxes to boost the economy.
It follows the party’s pledge to cut £47 billion of spending by restricting welfare and shrinking the Civil Service.
She is expected to say: “It starts with fiscal responsibility. We have to get the deficit down.
“And we must also show how every tax cut or spending increase is paid for.
“So today, I am going to introduce a new golden economic rule.
“Every pound we save will be put to work. At least half will go towards cutting the deficit.”
Watch: Robert Jenrick brandishes wig prop in Tory conference attack on British judiciary
07:39 , Athena StavrouMichael Heseltine: Why the Tories must unite to fight ‘Trump mouthpiece’ Farage
07:36 , Athena StavrouThe Conservative Party must return to the sensible principles that once made it great, says Tory grandee Michael Heseltine – before populist extremism finds its way into No 10:
Why the Tories must unite to fight ‘Trump mouthpiece’ Farage
What is happening at the Tory conference today?
07:35 , Athena StavrouIt is the last day of the Conservative Party in Manchester, with leader Kemi Badenoch set to give the final speech.
Here is who we are expecting to speak on the main stage and when:
10am: Matt Vickers, deputy party chairman
10:30am: Mims Davis, shadow Wales secretary, Andrew Bowie, shadow Scotland secretary, and Alex Burghart, shadow Northern Ireland secretary
11am: Kemi Badenoch
Keir Starmer hits out at Robert Jenrick
07:33 , Athena StavrouBy Kate Devlin, Whitehall Editor in Mumbai
Sir Keir Starmer has hit out at Robert Jenrick on the plane to India for the start of a two day trade trip.
The prime minister accused the senior Tory of pitching for his party’s leadership when asked about his comments, secretly recorded, complaining that he “didn’t see another white face” while on a visit to Birmingham earlier this year.
The prime minister told journalists travelling with him: “It quite hard to take anything that Robert Jenrick says seroiusly; he’s clearly still running his leadership campaign.”
He added: “We’re working hard on questions of integration but we need no lessons or lectures from Robert Jenrick on any of this. He’s clearly just engaging in a leadership campaign.”
Full story: Badenoch to unveil ‘golden rule’ for economy in bid to win back Tory credibility ruined by Truss
07:31 , Athena StavrouBadenoch to unveil ‘golden rule’ in bid to restore economic credibility lost by Truss
Kemi Badenoch to deliver speech in last-ditch attempt to lift subdued Tory conference
07:30 , Athena StavrouKemi Badenoch will put the economy at the heart of her leader’s speech as she closes the Conservative Party conference.
In her speech on Wednesday, she will turn to the economy, setting out a “golden rule” that half of all money saved from cuts must be put towards driving down the deficit.
It comes as she tries to win back confidence in the party’s economic capabilities, following the disaster of Liz Truss’ mini budget.
Her speech will mark a last-ditch attempt to lift the mood at the conference, after most speeches were delivered to half empty auditoriums.
