Although there were jokes about the giveaways controversy and charges of planned decline directed towards Sir Keir Starmer, one candidate also made a push for a “New Conservative Party” in the vein of Sir Tony Blair.
The remarks made by Robert Jenrick echoed the “New Labour” doctrine of the former prime minister, which revived Labour after 18 years of opposition and helped them win three elections.
After suffering their biggest electoral setback to date in July, the Tories are hope to someday duplicate that success.
James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat are contenders for the top place, along with Mr. Jenrick.
The four contenders presented their cases to fellow MPs and party members, who would eventually select the winner, during the last day of the Conservative convention in Birmingham.
A former home secretary, Mr. Cleverly apologized to attendees “on behalf of the Conservative parliamentary party who let you down” and said he “hadn’t planned to run for leader” at the conference.
To win back people who defected to Labour and other parties, his main message was that the party needed to be more “enthusiastic” and provide a better future.
