UK politics live: Badenoch vows to ‘make Starmer sweat’ as Jenrick promises big migration cut in Tory speeches
Tugendhat, Cleverly, Badenoch and Jenrick have delivered last pitch to become new Conservative party leader
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The four Conservative leadership candidates have delivered their final speeches at the party’s conference in their race to be Rishi Sunak’s successor.
Starting her speech, Kemi Badenoch has promised to make “Sir Keir Starmer sweat, Angie uncomfortable, and make Rachel wriggle” if she becomes the new Tory leader.
The shadow secretary also attacked her own government for its record on net zero targets, claiming the previous administration had stop acting like the Conservatives.
Tory rival Robert Jenrick used his speech to target “mass migration” promising to set a new net zero target and leave the ECHR to “finish what Brexit started”.
James Cleverly issued an apology to members of the Tory party following the party’s brutal election defeat in July, urging the party to avoid complacency, warning against “wallowing in self-pity” after Labour’s landslide victory.
During his pitch, Tom Tugendhat called for Thatcher-style revolution for a “free economy” and blamed bureaucrats for failings in the NHS, warning the health service is “not the envy of the world”.
The Independent’s political team will be reporting live throughout the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham.
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Tom Tugendhat takes aim at rival candidates for 'lacking substance'
Tom Tugendhat has criticised his fellow leadership candidates for lacking in “substance” during their campaigns, as well as taking aim at “petty point scoring” in Westminster, Millie Cooke reports from the conference.
Speaking on the main stage of the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, Mr Tugendhat said the country “can do better”.
He said: “We’ve heard platitudes not substance in this campaign. Too much about personality, not enough about principle.
“Too much about change without saying how. And I’m standing before you today because I’ve had enough of the lack of substance, the lack of principle, the lack of clarity.
“My friends, I’ve had enough of Westminster’s political games, petty point scoring and self-service. It’s not becoming of our great party, or our great nation. We can do better.”
Tom Tugendhat kicks off final conference speeches
Tom Tugendhat is on his feet using his last chance to convince delegates he is the right man to become the next Tory leader.
He told the conference: “Good morning conference!” but received a muted reception, to which he added: “Shall we try that again? Good morning conference!”
Mr Tugendhat then said: “The last four days here with all of you has helped deliver my disappointment and my anger into optimism. I can feel the determination, I can feel the energy, I can feel the hope... I know we can and we will rebuild this party.
“I know we can and we will reconnect with the British people. I know we can and we will restore trust. And I know if we restore trust, we can and we will win again.”
Watch live: Conservative Party leadership candidates appeal to members on final day of conference
Live: Conservative leadership candidates appeal to members on final day of conference
Watch live as the Conservative Party's leadership contest candidates speak to members on the final day of the party conference on Wednesday, 2 October.
ANALYSIS | This could be make or break for Badenoch
Kemi Badenoch came into this contest as a clear favourite but is now fighting to stay in the contest, David Maddox writes from the conference.
Her crown on the right seems to have been snatched by Robert Jenrick. Meanwhile she is in danger of being knocked out of the final two by Tom Tugendhat or James Cleverly as the candidate of the left.
She has not been helped by gaffes on maternity pay or putting civil servants in prison.
But Badenoch is the one with the most star quality which she needs to show today to get her campaign back on track.
As one MP in a rival camp put it: “ Kemi needs to win 3 nil today and Jenrick can get away with a 2 all draw.”
Tory chief whip slams Labour’s ‘cynical attack’ on pensioners
Stuart Andrew is now targeting the Labour party, claiming the party issued a “cynical attack” on pensioners by cutting winter fuel payments.
The chief whip said: “It was the Conservatives that put Labour’s cruel decision to cut the winter fuel payment into the news and forced a vote in Parliament.
“And it is the Conservatives that have shown that the phoney claim of the black hole is just smoke and mirrors. And we will keep going. We as Conservative MPs owe that to you and we as Conservative MPs owe it to the country.”
Pictured: Cleverly and wife arrive at Tory conference
‘Tories bruised, but not done'
The Conservative chief whip has admitted the party suffered a bruising defeat at the general election.
But, despite the hueg loss, Stuart Andrew said the Tories are not done.
He added: “We all know that the general election result is not what we wanted or what I believe the country deserved.
“Despite the very best efforts of so many of you here we lost so many brilliant MPs who I and I know you hope to see back on those green benches again. But that will take every effort over the next four years, an effort we all need to put in.
“And okay, yes, we’re bruised, yes, we’re deflated, and yes, we may only have 121 MPs. But conference, let me tell you, we are certainly not done. In fact, we are only just getting started.”
Tory House of Cards
Chief whip Stuart Andrew, who is introducing the candidates, jokes about the 1990s series House of Cards, David Maddox writes from the conference.
In it the series the chief whip eliminated the rival candidates one by one.
Andrew takes Urquhart’s most famous line. “Some of you may think it is a coincidence I am here... but I couldn’t possibly comment,” he says to laughter.
Tory chief whip vows to work with Starmer to back Israel
The chief whip of the Conservative Party Stuart Andrew is speaking before the candidates take to the stage.
He told the conference: “Conference, today I will highlight the face we have ahead of us and what we are already doing in Parliament to hold this Labour government to account.
Mr Andrew added that the Tories stand fully behind Israel’s right to defend itself, adding: “At times like this we will work constructively and responsibly with the government as that is the right thing to do in the national interest.”
Tory chairman introduces session
Richard Fuller, the Tory chariman, is on the main stage introducing the morning session.
He has started his speech by thanking party members who have helped with the conference.
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