Theresa May warns Tories on Lib Dem threat after election loss

Theresa May, the former Prime Minister, criticized the Conservative Party for failing to recognize the threat posed by the Liberal Democrats while concentrating on the rise of Reform UK. In her commentary for the Times, she emphasized that the party's electoral defeat was not due to policy failures but rather a tarnished brand and loss of integrity. May pointed to the Partygate scandal and Liz Truss's mini-budget as significant factors in the party's decline. She warned that leadership candidates must understand these dynamics to avoid further electoral losses. The ongoing Tory leadership contest features candidates like Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch, who are addressing issues such as immigration, which they believe contributed to the party's downfall. Jenrick has made it a central theme of his campaign, while Badenoch has accused him of engaging in underhanded tactics to secure votes. The party's internal struggles and the need to reconnect with its core values are critical as they prepare for the upcoming conference and leadership decision.