Conservative Party Leadership

In the last 2 hours

Tories say Starmer is throwing top civil servant ‘under a bus’ with expected dismissal Nation.Cymru15:43

In the last 4 hours

Keir Starmer's crisis is Kemi Badenoch's gain CapX13:34

In the last 6 hours

Fact check: Claim about No 10 staff includes vacant and interim positions Evening Standard12:49

Tories: Starmer throwing top civil servant ‘under a bus’ with expected dismissal Evening Standard11:25

In the last 8 hours

Don't sack cabinet secretary until Mandelson files published, Badenoch says BBC09:11

Yesterday

Kemi Badenoch fails to take advantage at PMQs Yorkshire Post16:59 11-Feb-26

Badenoch presses Starmer on putting former aide in Lords after he campaigned for sex offender BBC15:54 11-Feb-26

Starmer accused of ‘stuffing Government with paedophile apologists’ by Badenoch Evening Standard13:31 11-Feb-26

Starmer only cares about victims ‘to save his skin’, Badenoch blasts City AM12:24 11-Feb-26

Kemi Badenoch beats Starmer and Farage in head-to-head for preferred PM… but voters are losing… MailOnline11:39 11-Feb-26

Badenoch signals Tory support for scrapping stamp duty on estate agency visit Residential Landlord11:36 11-Feb-26

Kemi Badenoch mocked over McDonald’s shift Left Foot Forward10:46 11-Feb-26

On estate agency visit, Kemi Badenoch signals Tory support for scrapping stamp duty Property Industry Eye06:39 11-Feb-26

Kemi Badenoch signals Tory support for scrapping stamp duty on estate agency visit Property Industry Eye06:29 11-Feb-26

Estate agent meets Tory leader in his office The Negotiator Magazine05:50 11-Feb-26

In the last 7 days

Kemi Badenoch meets parents and traders in Godalming Liphook Herald18:33 10-Feb-26

Kemi Badenoch returns to McDonald's kitchen in London Evening Standard16:01 10-Feb-26

Next Tory candidate for mayor must 'understand business, understand growth' ITV14:06 10-Feb-26

Badenoch: Starmer's position is 'untenable' Sky News13:29 10-Feb-26

She's lovin' it! Kemi Badenoch serves up snark (and a McMuffin) as she claims Labour MPs are… MailOnline13:16 10-Feb-26

Tory leader Badenoch returns to McDonald’s kitchen Evening Standard12:06 10-Feb-26

North West Essex MP Kemi Badenoch lashes Labour over hospitality business support Bishop's Stortford Independent08:47 10-Feb-26

Peter Franklin: Does it matter if the Conservative Party becomes the Kemi Show? ConservativeHome06:32 10-Feb-26

MP Kemi Badenoch visits Saffron Walden hotel to discuss pressures on industry Saffron Walden Reporter, Essex22:28 9-Feb-26

Starmer should resign if he ‘can’t do the job’, says Badenoch Evening Standard13:24 9-Feb-26

The Right-Wing Civil War: Who Will Win the 2029 General Election? Comment Central12:17 9-Feb-26

Kemi Badenoch savages Keir Starmer over McSweeney resignation, jeering 'once again it's… MailOnline16:09 8-Feb-26

Tories demand probe into Keir Starmer's meeting with tech giant Palantir - a client of Peter… MailOnline13:46 8-Feb-26

Kemi Badenoch claims Keir Starmer knew about Peter Mandelson's relationship with Epstein but… MailOnline19:17 7-Feb-26

Lib Dem MP Pippa Heylings: "Reform Wants People To Go Down The Mines Again" PoliticsHome13:22 7-Feb-26

Tories demand answers from Keir Starmer over peerage for ex-Labour spin chief with links to… MailOnline16:39 6-Feb-26

Badenoch urges PM to disclose vetting for ex-comms chief who campaigned for Scots sex offender The Scotsman08:44 6-Feb-26

How Badenoch forced Labour’s hand on Mandelson ConservativeHome08:08 6-Feb-26

Kemi Badenoch urges PM to disclose vetting for ex-comms chief’s Lords appointment The National, Scotland07:55 6-Feb-26

Parliament 'overrun by rats and mice,' says MP ahead of £40bn revamp Evening Standard19:37 5-Feb-26

‘Starmer knew extent of Mandelson’s links to Epstein’ – Kemi Badenoch Channel 419:24 5-Feb-26

People convinced a mouse runs past Kemi Badenoch during live interview The London Economic17:41 5-Feb-26

Grim moment Kemi Badenoch upstaged by rodent in live TV interview The Mirror15:34 5-Feb-26

Kemi Badenoch tells 'coward' Keir Starmer to quit over Mandelson admissions and says it is a… MailOnline12:40 5-Feb-26

Breaking Badenoch says Britain is not being governed and calls for Labour MPs to discuss a vote … ConservativeHome (Video)12:13 5-Feb-26

Are the mice panicking at Parliament too? Hilarious moment rodent scurries past Kemi Badenoch… MailOnline09:37 5-Feb-26

In the last month

What we learned from PMQs: Keir Starmer knew all about Peter Mandelson New Statesman13:30 4-Feb-26

‘You are right to highlight the importance of safe, decent accommodation’ – Kemi Badenoch replies to Romany campaigner Travellers Times12:47 4-Feb-26

Downing Street set to release files on Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador The National, Scotland08:33 4-Feb-26

A visit to the Tory wet room The New World00:01 4-Feb-26

Badenoch demands release of Starmer’s Mandelson vetting process The Independent23:19 3-Feb-26

Greens win amendments to budget to benefit safety, roads and nature Surrey World15:10 3-Feb-26

Keir Starmer's trip to China was 'a dream come true' because he's been 'virtually a Communist… MailOnline07:03 3-Feb-26

Tories gain on Reform in polls yet Badenoch struggles for approval City AM04:38 3-Feb-26

Kemi Badenoch says Keir Starmer has been 'played' by China as PM says he was right to suck up… MailOnline16:17 2-Feb-26

PM should have secured Jimmy Lai's release during China trip, says Tory leader Sky News16:09 2-Feb-26

North West Essex MP Kemi Badenoch cultivates support from farmers Bishop's Stortford Independent14:25 2-Feb-26

Pembrokeshire MSs Meet Conservative Leader in Cardiff Bay The Pembrokeshire Herald13:28 31-Jan-26

Kemi Badenoch came across as very Kemi. Blunt and convinced the only way is her way The Scottish Herald10:46 31-Jan-26

Kemi Badenoch's brutal message to Welsh Conservatives flirting with Reform Wales Online16:23 30-Jan-26

Kemi Badenoch denies sacked Tory's claim party doesn't allow free speech BBC14:45 30-Jan-26

Badenoch refuses to rule out deal with Reform in Welsh Senedd Election ITV13:51 30-Jan-26

Reform demands Badenoch apologises to Braverman over health claim The Independent22:03 29-Jan-26

Reform threatens to sue Kemi Badenoch over mental health claim The Mirror18:49 29-Jan-26

Kemi Badenoch needs centrists to win New Statesman12:36 29-Jan-26

Centrist ideas no longer wanted in Conservative party, Kemi Badenoch says Left Foot Forward10:18 29-Jan-26

'Kemi Badenoch can restore the Tories' wrecked image - maybe' - letter York Press07:37 29-Jan-26

Elliot Keck: All out council elections offer better value than electing in thirds ConservativeHome06:17 29-Jan-26

Why Kemi Badenoch's dismissive reaction to Ruth Davidson's centrists is a disaster for Tories The Scotsman06:06 29-Jan-26

By taking in Tory misfits by the busload, Nigel Farage is turning Reform into the very elites… MailOnline01:05 29-Jan-26

I won't be blown off course, vows Kemi, as she slaps down defectors 'having tantrums' and new… MailOnline22:47 28-Jan-26

North West Essex MP pledges to tackle rising unemployment Dunmow Broadcast & Recorder, Essex20:42 28-Jan-26

PM will probably give Isle of Wight away - says Badenoch BBC16:37 28-Jan-26

'Not helpful': Ruth Davidson’s new project snubbed by Kemi Badenoch The National, Scotland14:58 28-Jan-26

Tories 'on the right but appeal to the majority', says Badenoch Sky News14:41 28-Jan-26

Badenoch apologises for Braverman mental health claim BBC13:07 28-Jan-26

Badenoch mocks defectors as she tries to get Tories back on track The Independent12:11 28-Jan-26

Starmer should apologise to Iraq veterans ‘harassed through courts’ – Badenoch Evening Standard11:57 28-Jan-26

Kemi Badenoch: Why only the Conservatives can fix Britain’s problems ConservativeHome11:51 28-Jan-26

Tory defectors to Reform savaged in 'tantrum' jibe as Badenoch throws personal insults The Mirror11:29 28-Jan-26

Badenoch claims Tory defectors to Reform having ‘tantrum dressed up as politics’ Evening Standard11:27 28-Jan-26

Kemi Badenoch calls Reform UK defectors 'drama queens' in a 'psychodrama' ITV11:07 28-Jan-26

Badenoch delivers speech on Tories’ future: ‘The Conservative Party is going in a new direction’ ConservativeHome (Video)10:53 28-Jan-26

John Redwood: MPs who defect will find it harder to make a difference outside the Opposition ConservativeHome06:34 28-Jan-26

The last thing the Tory party needs is the return of the bunch of liberal failures who made… MailOnline02:40 28-Jan-26

Badenoch to hit out at Labour and Reform ‘psychodrama’ in speech Evening Standard23:25 27-Jan-26

In defence of Ruth Davidson, Andy Street and the Tory ‘wets’ City AM14:11 27-Jan-26

Traitors? Or Faithfuls to the cause? Builders Merchants Journal10:37 27-Jan-26

Kemi Badenoch attends point-to-point meeting in the Cotswolds Punchline Magazine09:22 27-Jan-26

Tories weaponise Braverman’s 'mental health' - as more defections loom i News19:39 26-Jan-26

Suella Braverman defects: is Reform becoming a magnet for Tory baggage? The Conversation (UK)17:18 26-Jan-26

Kemi Badenoch and Cotswolds MP visit Gloucestershire racing event Cotswold Journal17:17 26-Jan-26

More members of Liz Truss’ cabinet in Nigel Farage’s team than Kemi Badenoch’s The London Economic17:12 26-Jan-26

Why Kemi Badenoch flopped on Desert Island Discs New Statesman15:34 26-Jan-26

Kemi Badenoch urged to be more centrist in battle with Reform UK Nation.Cymru14:42 26-Jan-26

Badenoch must leave the way open to a reunification deal with Farage ConservativeHome07:09 26-Jan-26

“She’s spring cleaning” “I just think he’s really bitter” “If they believed in it, maybe they’d stick around”: Tory… Lord Ashcroft Polls06:01 26-Jan-26

Andrew Pierce: Kemi is queen after Jenrick's defenestration MailOnline00:31 26-Jan-26

'No fudging that' - Ex-West Midlands Mayor Andy Street declares his support for Tory leader Kemi Badenoch to become… Express & Star11:17 25-Jan-26

Marvel movies make the cut on Badenoch’s desert island The Observer05:06 25-Jan-26

Kemi Badenoch reveals her surprise inspiration from Thackeray's 1848 novel Vanity Fair MailOnline01:11 25-Jan-26

I joined the Tories for the partying, says Kemi Badenoch BBC01:04 25-Jan-26

Kemi Badenoch reveals her wedding first dance song The Irish News00:11 25-Jan-26

Kemi Badenoch's 'show of strength' by sacking Robert Jenrick over plot to defect to Reform wins … MailOnline23:40 24-Jan-26

Jenrick and Badenoch accuse each other of lying over 'special place in hell' message Sky News18:42 23-Jan-26

Jenrick hits back at Badenoch’s claims he lied, amid war of words with ex-party Evening Standard17:43 23-Jan-26

Do Farage and Badenoch want a police state? West Country Voices17:28 23-Jan-26

Lewis Defraine: Badenoch has pulled the party out of life support and is getting it back on… ConservativeHome15:04 23-Jan-26

Sam Merullo: Despite the new year noise the blueprint for a Tory revival should be to ‘paint it … ConservativeHome13:02 23-Jan-26

Fact check: Government calculations set out three cost estimates for Chagos deal Evening Standard12:38 23-Jan-26

Badenoch Overtook Jenrick With Tory Members Before Defection Guido Fawkes' Blog11:21 23-Jan-26

Shadow Cabinet League Table: Badenoch beats Jenrick in pre-defection poll ConservativeHome07:05 23-Jan-26

George Trefgarne: Time for critics to stop tilting at Tory windmills – Badenoch understands… ConservativeHome06:25 23-Jan-26

Defect now if you're thinking about leaving, Badenoch warns backbenchers Sky News22:46 21-Jan-26

Tories lost Jenrick because of ‘personal ambition’, Badenoch tells party Evening Standard20:28 21-Jan-26

Kemi Badenoch meets with Northern Ireland veterans as she urges Keir Starmer to abandon… MailOnline18:07 21-Jan-26

‘Farage effect fading’: Readers say Reform slump helps Badenoch The Independent17:37 21-Jan-26

Starmer accused of being "weak" on defence spending The News, Portsmouth17:06 21-Jan-26

Badenoch urges Starmer to ‘protect veterans’ ahead of NI Legacy Act repeal vote Evening Standard13:51 21-Jan-26

I will not yield to Trump's pressure on Greenland, Starmer says at PMQs BBC13:47 21-Jan-26

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12 Feb 15:43

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About our Conservative Party Leadership news

Latest news on the Conservative Party leadership, including updates on Kemi Badenoch's leadership of the Conservative Party after she was elected leader in 2024.

The 2024 Conservative Party leadership election marked a significant turning point in British politics, following the party's historic defeat in the July general election. Kemi Badenoch emerged victorious on 2 November 2024, securing 56.5% of party members' votes against Robert Jenrick's 43.5%, making her the first Black leader of any major UK political party and the fourth female Conservative leader.

The contest began after Rishi Sunak announced his resignation following the Conservatives' worst electoral defeat in modern history, which reduced the party to just 121 seats. Six candidates initially entered the race: Badenoch, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel, Mel Stride, and Tom Tugendhat. Through four rounds of MP voting, the field was narrowed to Badenoch and Jenrick for the final membership ballot.

The leadership race featured significant moments, including a crucial Conservative Party Conference in late September that served as a 'beauty parade' for candidates. James Cleverly's surprise elimination in the final MPs' ballot, despite being considered a frontrunner, highlighted the unpredictable nature of the contest. The campaign also saw substantial financial investment, with Jenrick raising £480,000 and Badenoch £422,500.

This election followed a period of unprecedented Conservative Party turmoil, with Badenoch becoming the fifth Conservative leader in just over two years, following Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak. The party's internal dynamics were further complicated by speculation about potential defections to Reform UK and concerns about maintaining unity after the general election defeat.

Our NewsNow feed provides comprehensive coverage of the Conservative Party's transition under Badenoch's leadership, including analysis from political experts, reactions from party members, and implications for British politics. Stay informed about policy developments, shadow cabinet appointments, and the party's strategy as it adapts to its new role in opposition.

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