Lizzy Buchan, the Political Editor at Mirror, has been covering Westminster since 2017. Her focus includes work, trade unions, child poverty, defense, and foreign policy. If you have any tips, feel free to reach out via email.
During the final night of the Tory conference, an almost deserted room caught my attention where a small group of individuals was dancing to ABBA tunes. It was just 10:15 pm, a popular time for party loyalists and corporate influencers seeking to mingle with prominent Conservative figures.
The scene of fewer than a dozen people dancing to “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme” reflects the changing times for the once highly successful Conservative party. Currently, they are struggling in comparison to their previous standing. Labour holds power, Reform is gaining ground, and even the Liberal Democrats are encroaching on traditional Tory strongholds.
The Tories are facing dismal polling numbers, and the lackluster attendance at the conference emphasized the challenging reality for hopeful Conservatives. Having been in power for 14 years, they are grappling with the fact that their message is falling on deaf ears.
During the conference, many speeches from the shadow cabinet were delivered to nearly empty rooms. Controversial plans to deport hundreds of thousands of individuals and slash £47 billion from welfare and public spending barely made an impact, given the remote likelihood of the Tories returning to power.
Even the usual protestors outside the conference did not show up this time. Rumors circulated about excessive spending, as it was unusually easy to find a drink in the typically crowded hotel bar.
As a journalist for the Mirror, the Tory conference has always provided rich material. From political maneuvers to power struggles and awkward dance moves, it has been an eventful ground for reporting.
Last year’s conference had a subdued atmosphere, but the excitement of the leadership contest, which resulted in Kemi Badenoch’s election, kept things lively. However, this year, there was a noticeable lack of energy and enthusiasm.
There were murmurs in the corridors about the sparse attendance, despite efforts to rearrange the setup to hide the reduced number of stands. Nigel Farage’s presence was barely acknowledged, and discussions about Kemi Badenoch’s potential leadership were subdued.
With memories of Andy Burnham’s failed leadership ambitions at the Labour conference fresh in mind, the expected Tory successor, Robert Jenrick, played it safe. Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch used the conference to unveil a series of bold policies, including mass deportations and significant spending cuts, which resonated with the Tory supporters.
However, the party’s credibility with voters has been damaged, making it challenging for a Shadow Cabinet composed of former Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, and Boris Johnson allies to present a convincing alternative. While Badenoch aims to position the Tories as moderate on the economy, her immigration proposals may not outdo Reform’s stance.
Her efforts might have bought her some time within the party, at least until the upcoming local elections in May. But the crucial question remains: Is anyone else paying attention to the Tories’ message?