Politics LIVE: Kemi Badenoch confirmed as new Tory leader - as party rules quietly changed behind closed doors
Kemi Badenoch has been elected as the new leader of the Conservative Party
GB NEWS
Kemi Badenoch has been confirmed as the new leader of the Conservative Party, beating Robert Jenrick to replace Rishi Sunak.
The North West Essex MP won the contest by 57 per cent to 43 per cent.
The result comes after last night a new poll by BMG Research found that if a general election was held today, 29 per cent of the country would vote for the Tories, while 28 per cent would back Labour.
It is the first time in three years that the Conservatives have been ahead of Labour in a national poll, with the fallout of Rachel Reeves's Budget seeing Labour's popularity drop.
It is likely that the Tories will see a further boost to their popularity, even if only in the short term, now that a permanent replacement for Rishi Sunak has been announced.
New political leaders regularly get a so-called "honeymoon period" in which voters naturally have a more positive view of them.
It has also been revealed that the Conservative Party's rules around no confidence votes have quietly been changed, making it harder for the party to get rid of Badenoch.
Party bosses have increased the threshold required to trigger a vote of no confidence from 15 per cent to 33 per cent of the Parliamentary party.
Farage seeks to poach Jenrick supporters
Nigel Farage issued an invitation to those who had supported Robert Jenrick for leader
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Nigel Farage has called upon supporters of Robert Jenrick to quit the party and join Reform UK after Kemi Badenoch was crowned leader.
He said: "The Conservative Party is now committed to staying in the ECHR. That means they will never stop the boats.
"If you wanted Robert Jenrick to win, come and join Reform."
Last month, Badenoch had told a Tory leadership event hosted by GB News that leaving the European Court of Human Rights could have unintended consequences.
She said: "The ECHR and the Human Rights Act are what I used to defend many gender-critical women who were worried about single-sex spaces...
"If we take it out we need to make sure we have something to replace it, not just a promise.”
National Insurance tax increases to be wiped out as benefits bill to soar
Rising costs of health and disability benefits payments will exceed the revenue generated by Rachel Reeves's National Insurance tax increase, according to recent analysis.
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) reports that spending on these benefits is set to rise by more than £19billion by the end of this parliament.
Tory Party membership collapsing - while Reform UK rises
Delving into the announcement of the new Conservative Party leader, figures shared by the Chairman of the 1922 committee Bob Blackman reveal the membership is now at its lowest level on record.
The party's membership has fallen by almost a quarter over the past two years.
In 2022, when Liz Truss defeated Rishi Sunak, 141,725 members out of a total of around 172,000 voted in that leadership contest.
However, by Saturday there were only 131,680 Tory members eligible to vote for their next leader, a drop of 23 per cent, while turnout fell from 82.6 per cent to 72.8 per cent.
Meanwhile Reform UK has indicated that its membership is nearing 100,000. It is possible that the party could overtake the Tories at some point in the future.
Changing of no confidence rules a 'highly significant' moment
GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope has described the change of rules around no confidence votes as a "highly significant" moment for the party. He says:
This is highly significant as just a third of Tory MPs - 42 - backed Kemi Badenoch in the leadership contest.
This means that 79 Tory MPs did not support her.
The 1922 committee has moved quickly to shore up her position, making it more likely that Badenoch will be leader at the next general election in four years time.
Tory Party quietly changes no confidence vote rules
The Tories have made it harder to remove new leader Kemi Badenoch.
Sir Bob Blackman, the chairman of the 1922 committee has told GB News that the threshold to trigger a vote of no confidence has been quietly increased from 15 per cent to 33 per cent of the Parliamentary party.
It means that 40 MPs will be needed to trigger a vote of no confidence in Badenoch, rather than 18 MPs under the old 15 per cent rule.
The change was made at a private meeting of the 1922's executive last Wednesday.
Labour takes first dig at new Tory leader
Labour Party chairwoman Ellie Reeves has claimed the election of Kemi Badenoch shows the party is "incapable of change".
She said: "Congratulations to Kemi Badenoch on being elected Leader of the Conservative Party.
"It’s been a long leadership election but sadly one thing is clear – the Conservatives have learned nothing since the British people resoundingly rejected them in July. It’s been a summer of yet more Conservative chaos and division.
"They could have spent the past four months listening to the public, taking responsibility for the mess they made and changing their party.
"Instead, Kemi Badenoch’s election as leader shows they’re incapable of change. Meanwhile the Labour government is getting on with fixing the foundations of our economy and cleaning up the mess the Tories left behind."
Nigel Farage takes swipe at Kemi Badenoch victory
Nigel Farage has responded to Kemi Badenoch becoming the new Tory leader by claiming that the result will make "no difference" to the future of the party.
"They have broken the trust of the British people and the brand is broken," he said.
Robert Jenrick has 'a key role to play in our party'
Kemi Badenoch gave her praise to leadership rival Robert Jenrick
GETTY
Kemi Badenoch paid tribute to her leadership rival Robert Jenrick after her election and said the party’s task was “tough but simple”.
She said: “I’d also like to pay a special tribute to Robert Jenrick, who has fought a great campaign.
“Rob, we have all been impressed by your energy and your determination. You and I know that we don’t actually disagree on very much, and I have no doubt that you have a key role to play in our party for many years to come.
“I would also like to thank all the other candidates: Priti, Mel, Tom and James, for your kind words and your many insights.
“We have come through this campaign more united and the party needs you now more than ever.”
Kemi Badenoch warns Tories must be 'honest' and says party 'let standards slip'
Giving her acceptance speech, Kemi Badenoch said it is an "absolute honour" to be the leader of the party that she "loves".
She described the leadership contest as "an experience us candidates will never forget" before turning her attention to the challenge that lies ahead.
Badenoch said the Tories have to be “honest” about the “fact we made mistakes” and “the fact that we let standards slip”.
She added: “The task that stands before us is tough but simple.
“Our first responsibility as His Majesty’s loyal Opposition is to hold this Labour Government to account.
“Our second is no less important. It is to prepare over the course of the next few years for government, to ensure that by the time of the next election, we have not just a clear set of Conservative pledges that appeal to the British people, but a clear plan for how to implement them, a clear plan to change this country by changing the way that government works.
“The Prime Minister is discovering all too late the perils of not having such a plan. That huge job begins today.”
Rishi Sunak urges Tories to unite behind Kemi Badenoch
Outgoing Conservative leader Rishi Sunak was the first to give his praise to Kemi Badenoch following her election to replace him.
In a statement released on social media he urged for the party to now "unite behind her" as she looks to take "the fight to Labour".
He wrote: "Congratulations to Kemi Badenoch on being elected Conservative Party leader.
"I know that she will be a superb leader of our great party. She will renew our party, stand up for Conservative values, and take the fight to Labour.
"Let’s unite behind her."
New Conservative Party leader announced
Kemi Badenoch received a standing ovation after being elected
GB NEWS
Kemi Badenoch has been confirmed as the new Conservative Party leader.
Chairman of the Tory Party's powerful 1922 committee Bob Blackman made the announcement, outlining that the 44-year-old had won 57 per cent of the vote compared to Robert Jenrick's 43 per cent.
In total 131,680 people were eligible to vote in the contest, with a turn out of 72.8 per cent.
Tory chairman takes to the stage
Conservative Party chairman Richard Fuller has taken to the stage at the venue in central London where the result of the leadership contest is being announced.
Both Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are sat on the front row.
The result will be revealed imminently.
Camilla Tominey gives her insight into the mood of Tory members
Ahead of the Tory leadership election result, GB News's Camilla Tominey has given her view on who is likely to win the contest.
You can read exactly what she is expecting to be announced at 11am HERE.
One hour to go until new Tory leader unveiled
There is just one hour to go until Conservative Party members find out who their new leader is.
The bookies have suggested that Kemi Badenoch is favourite to take over from Rishi Sunak, although GB News understands that the vote was very close when ballots were being counted yesterday.
Robert Jenrick undertook a media blitz in the last few days of the campaign in a bid to bolster his chances of
Starmer says UK cannot 'tax and spend' its way to prosperity
Sir Keir Starmer says he wants to reform the UK economy
PA
Just days after Labour announced the biggest tax raising Budget in modern history, Sir Keir Starmer has today warned that the Government "cannot tax and spend our way to prosperity".
Writing about his vision to reform the UK's economy in the Financial Times, the Prime Minister said: "While we have always said economic stability is the first step on our mission for growth, the Budget also opened the door on the next stage of our plan: reform.
"Just as we cannot tax and spend our way to prosperity, nor can we simply spend our way to better public services. That is why reform is an essential pillar of this Government’s agenda.
"Reform of our creaking central state. Reform of our public services. And reform of our economy, with a modern supply-side agenda ready to take advantage of our new climate for investment."
Elon Musk takes furious swipe at Rachel Reeves over Inheritance Tax
for changes to Inheritance Tax which will impact family farmers.
Speaking on social media, the world’s richest man said: "we should leave the farmers alone."
"We [owe] farmers immense gratitude for making the food on our tables!”
Changes to how the tax applies to agricultural land announced in the Commons on Wednesday mean that from April 2026, only assets up to £1million can be passed on tax-free. Those with assets worth more than that face effective 20 per cent tax charge.
Starmer's new sparring partner announced at 11am
There are just hours to go until a new face represents the Conservative Party at the dispatch box in the House of Commons when going toe to toe with Sir Keir Starmer.
Since the General Election in July, Rishi Sunak has sought to take a rather backseat role in his job as interim party leader, giving space for leadership candidates to make their pitches to the country.
It means clashes at PMQs have often been slightly underwhelming, with Sunak unwilling to bind himself party to any one policy position in case his successor holds a different view.
Immigration, the economy, and how the Conservatives can rebuild trust with the electorate and win back voters they lost at the election have all been discussed at length through the campaign.
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