Key facts
- Tory MPs are reportedly united behind leader Kemi Badenoch.
- Some MPs believe Badenoch should focus on the economy rather than culture wars to win back voters.
- Badenoch has been leader for nearly two years, the longest serving Tory leader since Boris Johnson.
- The Conservative Party is currently polling lower than before its 2024 general election defeat.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated he will not call an early general election.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has consolidated her position, with MPs expressing a newfound unity partly driven by a mutual dislike for former rival Robert Jenrick, who was later expelled from the party. Badenoch, who has been leader for nearly two years, has begun outlining her principles, but some party insiders believe she needs to shift focus from "culture wars" to the economy to appeal to centrist voters and improve the party's standing in the polls.
Despite Prime Minister Andy Burnham's assurances that an early general election will not be called, the prospect continues to spook some Tories. Badenoch, however, has reportedly told her top team to prepare for an election regardless, though her closest lieutenants express significant concern about the party's current polling numbers, which remain lower than before their 2024 general election defeat.