Tory conference LIVE: Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch gears up for keynote speech to party faithful

Tory conference LIVE: Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch gears up for keynote speech to party faithful Kemi Badenoch's speech will be the big moment of the party's annual conference today as she battles claims she is taking the Tories back to the 'nasty party' era of austerity Kemi Badenoch will give her keynote speech at her party's annual conference today as she battles off claims she is taking the Tories back to the "nasty party". It comes after the Tory leader was mocked after a gaffe over her party's so-called Iron Dome announcement and was criticised over "fantasy economics" after unveiling plans to halve employers' national insurance on jobs worked by young people. He party has also come under fire for harking back to the Tory nasty party-era amid their recent proposals to axe benefits for some under-25s and introduce pre-loaded cards for claimants - in a bid to ban them from spending financial support on alcohol, cigarettes, and gambling. Bungling Ms Badenoch on Tuesday dismissed a coalition plot with Nigel Farage's embattled party - as Reform UK was branded "too nasty for the nasty party". The Tory leader will give her conference speech later this morning, with reports suggesting she may announce a plan to slash inheritance tax. Follow live updates below... Reform branded 'too nasty for nasty party' Tories after Kemi Badenoch dismisses coalition plot Reform UK has been branded "too nasty for the nasty party" after bungling Kemi Badenoch dismissed a coalition with Nigel Farage's embattled party. The Tory leader on Tuesday claimed she would rather fight two general elections in quick succession as she desperately attempted to pour cold water on the idea of her party helping Reform into No10. Critics mocked the prospect of a right-wing coalition, saying both the Tories and Reform would offer a "reckless right-wing government" whether they joined forces or not. At the Conservative annual conference in Birmingham, Mrs Badenoch batted away questions about her party's grim electoral prospects, insisting Tory members felt “happy because we know who we are”. Read more: Reform branded 'too nasty for nasty party' Kemi Badenoch prepares her conference speech... on a piano A photo issued by Tory HQ late yesterday evening shows Kemi Badenoch preparing her conference speech barefoot in her hotel room in Birmingham - while resting her laptop on a piano. Perhaps she's planning to announce a solo album? Final day of Tory conference kicks off Kemi Badenoch will give her keynote speech to Tory conference today. It's not been a completely smooth ride at the annual gathering in Birmingham, which kicked off on Sunday. During the four-day event, the Tory leader was mocked after a gaffe over her party's so-called Iron Dome announcement and criticised over "fantasy economics" after unveiling plans to halve employers' national insurance on jobs worked by young people. And her party has come under fire for harking back to the Tory nasty party-era amid their recent proposals to axe benefits for some under-25s and introduce pre-loaded cards for claimants - in a bid to ban them from spending financial support on alcohol, cigarettes, and gambling.