Conservative Party Conference Underway in Birmingham

The UK Conservative Party is holding its annual conference in Birmingham, where four candidates—Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, James Cleverly, and Tom Tugendhat—are vying to replace Rishi Sunak as leader. This event marks the first Tory conference in opposition since 2009, following a historic election defeat that saw Labour win a significant majority. The candidates will make their final pitches to party members, with MPs narrowing down the contenders to two before a final vote by the membership. The mood at the conference is mixed, with some members optimistic about a swift return to power, while others are more cautious. The new leader, to be announced on November 2, faces the challenge of uniting a fragmented party and regaining voter trust.