Question 1: Who are the key Tory leadership candidates mentioned in the article?
Answer: The key Tory leadership candidates mentioned are Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, James Cleverly, and Tom Tugendhat.
Question 2: What has been the reaction of some senior Tories to Kemi Badenoch's comments at the conference?
Answer: Some senior Tories believe that Kemi Badenoch's blunt comments on issues like maternity pay and minimum wage have damaged her standing with MPs, with one former minister stating, "She fucked up on day one."
Question 3: How has Badenoch's communication style affected her campaign according to the article?
Answer: Badenoch's pugnacious style and willingness to engage in controversies may have alienated some MPs, leading to concerns about her behavior under leadership. Some lawmakers feel her campaign has suffered due to her remarks.
Question 4: What do some supporters of rival candidates think about Badenoch's performance at the conference?
Answer: Supporters of rival candidates believe that every time Badenoch speaks, it worsens her position, and they feel that the longer the contest lasts, the better it is for other candidates.
Question 5: What is the significance of the upcoming knockout rounds mentioned in the article?
Answer: The knockout rounds are significant because they will determine which candidates advance in the leadership contest, making the opinions of MPs crucial at this stage.