Tory leaders face monumental rebuild after July defeat
- The Conservative Party is preparing for its conference amid significant internal conflict following a historic defeat in the July general election.
- Key figures like Theresa May and William Hague stress the need for leadership candidates to recognize the party's damaged reputation and the challenges ahead.
- The upcoming conference will be crucial for the party's future, as it faces criticism for a lack of change and unity among leadership contenders.
The Conservative Party is facing significant internal strife as it prepares for its upcoming conference, following a historic defeat in the July general election. Key figures, including Theresa May and William Hague, emphasize the need for leadership contenders to recognize the depth of this loss and the monumental task ahead to regain governmental credibility. May attributes the defeat to a damaged party reputation rather than policy failures, citing scandals and a shift towards right-wing politics as detrimental. As the conference approaches, tensions rise among leadership candidates, particularly between Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick, who accuse each other of underhanded tactics. The event is expected to showcase the candidates' appeals to party members, but Labour has criticized the Tories for lacking a genuine desire for change. The conference marks a pivotal moment for the party, which has seen its representation in Parliament drastically reduced, and will be closely watched as the leadership race unfolds.