UK politics live: Centrist Tories reject both leadership rivals as Jenrick attacks Badenoch’s ‘needless drama’
Tory leadership rivals Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch criticised over their campaign rhetoric
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Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch have faced a rebuff from a centrist faction of the Conservative party.
The Tory Reform Group (TRG), representing One Nation Conservatives, has declined to endorse either leadership candidates criticising their campaign rhetorics.
In a statement, the group said it had “engaged extensively” with all leadership hopefuls but was left unimpressed by the two finalists, accusing them of adopting a narrative that diverges from the principles that define the Tories.
The backlash comes as Mr Jenrick threw a thinly-veiled criticism at fellow contender Kemi Badenoch, suggesting the shadow secretary is an unserious candidate.
In his speech at the Policy Exchange think tank, he told supporters that the choices in the election are framed around his “serious plan” versus “not needless drama”, which was an apparent attack at his rival.
The former immigration minister also promised to bring back the government’s Rwanda deportation plan.
After the address, he rejected suggestions that Tory MPs mistakenly backed him for the final two in the leadership race, following speculation about internal “horse trading”.
Mr Jenrick was asked directly whether he could have made the final two by mistake. He admitted that there is always some manoeuvring but was confident that MPs ultimately chose him based on his leadership credentials.
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Tories hit out at Labour’s delay on free speech legislation
Shadow education secretary Damian Hinds has branded the government’s decision to pause the implementation of freedom of speech bill as “chilling”.
Mr Hinds referred to Conservative MP Suella Braverman who posted to X today that she was due to speak at the University of Cambridge but said the event was cancelled “because of militant pro-Palestinian protesters”.
Mr Hinds told the Commons: “This evening, a member of this House was due to speak at an event at Cambridge University. It will not go ahead as planned because of safety concerns.
“Now, it is absolutely not for us to question operational decision making, but it absolutely is for us to question this Government about legislation and the effects direct, indirect and chilling, of the decisions that they have made since coming to office.
“Last year, the Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act became law. In the end having attracted cross party support after extensive working with students and academics, it passed all stages in Parliament, it received royal assent.
“The act is about protecting free speech on campus, including for visiting speakers, and it’s about academic freedom to challenge conventional wisdom and put forward unpopular or controversial opinions but in July this year, the new Secretary of State decided not to commence it. She decided that without any parliamentary debates.”
Keir Starmer hails ‘biggest upgrade’ to workers’ rights reforms
Transport secretary von to overhaul Tory bus funding
We now turn to the House of Commons where MPs continue with today’s parliamentary urgent questions.
Louise Haigh has pledged to revamp the contentious process by which local authorities receive funding or bus services, comparing the current Tory system to the “Hunger Games”.
The ministers’ remarks come in response to shadow transport secretary Helen Whately’s critique of the government’s bus plans.
Ms Whately asked: “Does the Secretary of State agree with me that the £2 fare cap has been a good thing? And crucially, is she going to keep it?”
Ms Haigh replied: “She is absolutely right that the underfunding of bus services over a decade has led to the cancellation and scrapping of thousands of bus routes across the country, which has declined passenger numbers for the last 14 years.
“We are committing to consolidating funding and ending the Hunger Games-style process that the previous government oversaw, pitting authorities against each other, and creating winners and losers.”
Conservative leadership election: Who are final candidates Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick?
The Conservative leadership race has reached its final stage as just two candidates face each other in the decisive vote in November.
Following the surprise knock-out of James Cleverly, Conservative members will now vote between Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick to become the next party leader and shadow prime minister.
Here’s everything you need to know about the final two Conservative leader candidates:
Conservative leadership election: Who are the two remaining candidates?
Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are facing each other in the Tory leadership contest after the surprise knock-out of James Cleverly
Pictured: PM welcomes Nato chief for talks with Zelensky
Cleverly’s shocking exit sparks allegations of tactical voting in Tory race
James Cleverly’s surprising twist in the Tory leadership contest has raised eyebrows.
Some insiders told the Standard that a strategic voting may have played a role in his exit.
Shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake suggested that there were unexpected voting patterns leading to Mr Cleverly downfall during Wednesday’s MP ballot, where he garnered only 37 votes.
The shadow home secretary had been riding high, nearly doubling his support to 39 votes in the previous round when Tom Tugendhat was ousted, making his sudden drop in support all the more perplexing.
“There were gasps in the room,” Mr Hollinrake said, noting the shock among the Tories during the results announcement.
The suggestion that some MPs might have conspired to keep Ms Badenock off the shortlist sparked debate.
“If there were any odd voting patterns, it might have been to ensure Kemi didn’t advance, as she’s immensely popular with party members and the public,” he added.
Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith echoed the claims, adding: “It seems there were some games being played, which rarely work.”
ICYMI: Starmer bids to end Tory ‘scorched earth’ industrial relations policy
Union chiefs have hailed workers’ rights reforms unveiled by Keir Starmer’s government today for “changing the balance of power” in favour of employees and away from employers.
The long-awaited package to unpick Tory anti-union legislationhas been unveiled less than 24 hours after the Renters’ Rights Bill passed its second reading in the Commons.
Our political editor David Maddox has the full story below:
Starmer bids to end Tory ‘scorched earth’ industrial relations approach
Labour’s workers’ rights reforms will include an end to zero-hour contracts and the repeal of anti-strike laws
Labour’s business reforms: What you need to know
Labour is beginning to outline its vision for business reforms, although full implementation might take up to two years.
Here’s what the government is proposing:
- Statutory sick pay: Workers will receive sick pay from the first day of illness, abolishing the current three-day waiting period and eliminating the lower earnings threshold.
- Parental leave: Labour plans to introduce day-one rights to both paid and unpaid paternity leave, removing the requirement for fathers to have worked for 26 or 53 weeks to qualify. A new statutory right to bereavement leave will also be established.
- Flexible working rights: Employees will have the right to request flexible working arrangements. Employers will be required to justify refusals based on eight specific criteria.
- Zero-hour contracts: The reforms include a ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts, ensuring that workers are offered contracts based on actual hours worked over 12-week reference period. This would also require advance notice of shift patterns and compensation for last-minute cancellations.
Pictured: John Healey and Sir Tony Radakin arrive at No 10
Coming up: Jenrick delivers speech as Tory leadership race heats up
Robert Jenrick is set to deliver a speech at the Policy Exchange think tank today in a bid to build momentum after securing his place in the final two of the Tory leadership race.
The former immigration minister heads to the final stage alongside Kemi Badenoch after James Cleverly was shockingly knocked out.
Mr Jenrick will speak at noon in central London.
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