Brief

Kemi Badenoch claims Conservative Party is new and different at Birmingham conference

Badenoch told reporters the party is no longer the one voters rejected in 2024, as the conference runs Oct 4‑7.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 04 Oct 2026 08:13:20 GMT

Kemi Badenoch told reporters at the Conservative Party’s annual conference in Birmingham that the party is "new and different" from the one that lost the 2024 general election. She said the public would see a shift, noting optimism and new plans that set the Tories apart from Labour, Reform UK, the Lib Dems and the Greens.

Badenoch added that her shadow cabinet, present at the venue, would showcase policies to "get this country working again". When asked about Labour’s polling bounce under Andy Burnham, she argued that governing is tougher than the opposition realised and that Burnham had not made any "tough decisions" yet.

The conference runs from Sunday 4 October to Wednesday 7 October, with senior Tories such as deputy leader Alex Burghart, shadow housing secretary Katie Lam and chairman Kevin Hollinrake in attendance. Campaigners warn an early election could be called, though Burnham says he will wait until 2029.

Key facts

• Kemi Badenoch said the Conservative Party is new and different from the one that lost the 2024 election. (standard.co.uk)
• The Tory conference in Birmingham runs from 4 to 7 October 2026. (standard.co.uk)
• Badenoch criticised Labour leader Andy Burnham for not making tough decisions yet. (standard.co.uk)

Sources

• [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “Tories renewed and different since 2024 defeat, says Badenoch before conference”