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“Tory Leadership Candidates Face Off at Conference Amid Controversy Surrounding Kemi Badenoch”

Tory leadership candidates are set to face off at the party conference, with Jenrick, Cleverly, Badenoch, and Tugendhat each given 20 minutes to present their vision to party members. However, recent commentary suggests that Kemi Badenoch's bold remarks during the conference may have backfired. According to 's briefing for Politico, some senior Tories believe her candid comments on issues like maternity pay and the minimum wage have negatively impacted her standing with MPs, who will participate in knockout rounds next week. One former minister supporting a rival candidate remarked, “She messed up on day one.” Critics within the party have accused Badenoch of “gaslighting” MPs by attributing her controversial statements to media misinterpretation. A supporter of another candidate noted, “Every time she speaks, it seems to get worse for her. The longer this contest goes on, the better it is for everyone else.” Badenoch's confrontational approach and her readiness to engage in contentious debates may have raised concerns among MPs about her potential behavior as a leader, according to one lawmaker. Another described her campaign as having unraveled due to her remarks, while a third suggested that she needs a strong week to solidify her position among MPs, which has not yet occurred.

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.