Tory conference live: Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch gears up for speech to party faithful today

Tory conference live: Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch gears up for speech to party faithful today 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... What time is Kemi Badenoch's speech? We're expecting Kemi Badenoch to address the Tory conference at 11.15am - stay with this blog for all the build-up from the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. We don't want a coalition with Tories either, says Richard Tice Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice has said the feeling is "mutual" after Kemi Badenoch claimed she would rather fight two general elections in quick succession than go into a coalition with Nigel Farage’s party.Mr Tice told Times Radio this morning: "There are lots of people who want Reform to win, who will vote Reform, who'd be appalled at the idea that somehow we link up with the failed Conservatives."The irony, of course, is that many of those failed Tories - including controversial characters Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman - have jumped ship to Reform. Badenoch defends Tory MP who claimed town has 'no-go zones' for white people Kemi Badenoch has said she stands by a Tory MP who claimed there are "no-go zones" for white people in Luton. Blake Stephenson, a shadow home office minister and the MP for Mid Bedfordshire, was speaking at a fringe event at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham when he made the remark. He claimed that Luton was a "shadow of its former self" and can be a "very dangerous place" where some communities live in “ghettoes”. Conservative leader Mrs Badenoch was asked about his remarks during an interview with ITV News. "I don’t know the context of Blake’s comments", she told the broadcaster, but insisted he was "very sensible". Kemi Badenoch to claim Tories are in 'battle for the soul of the nation' Though her party are seven points behind Labour and still trailing Reform UK in opinion polls, Kemi Badenoch is expected to position the Conservatives as ready for government and "fighting again for the belief that what people earn belongs to them" in her speech later. In a bid to echo Margaret Thatcher, she will say the Tories offer "the right way" and argue "no on else is going to deliver a stronger economy and a stronger country". "We are running out of money and running out of time to put it right", she will say. "Conference, we have a fight on our hands and we need to be ready. "Unless we start creating more value, unless we start growing our economy, something is going to break." What could the Tories announce on inheritance tax? Kemi Badenoch is reportedly planning to announce plans to slash inheritance tax in her big speech today - in a win for the richest in society. Currently, inheritance tax - charged at a standard rate of 40% - only applies to people who have an estate worth £325,000. This rises to £500,000 if a home is given to a child or a grandchild - meaning a couple have a combined tax-free property limit of £1million when they die. Deputy leader Alex Burghart is playing it safe in the TV studios this morning, saying that Ms Badenoch wants to abolish the tax but won’t announce anything the country can’t afford. But Mr Burghart is challenged on the Tories’ strategy to focus on inheritance tax, given it won’t help wider society as only a small proportion - 4.7% of UK deaths - pay it. He says it’s a “point of principle” when asked who his party is talking to. Tory deputy leader defends tax hikes Mirror Political Correspondent Sophie Huskisson writes… Alex Burghart - the deputy leader of the Tory party - is out on the airwaves this morning and appearing to defend the Conservatives having hiked taxes while they were in power. He claims the Conservatives had a worse hand than Labour, blaming the pandemic and the 2008 financial crisis, the fallout of which the Tories had to deal with when they were elected in 2010. When it’s pointed out that Labour is now dealing with the impact of the Iran war on the economy, Mr Burghart dismisses it, saying it’s had “quite a minor effect” compared to the two things he’d described. I’m not sure families worried about their energy bills spiralling will see the issue as “minor”. Analysis: All eyes on Kemi Badenoch after low-energy conference Mirror Political Correspondent Sophie Huskisson writes… Good morning from Birmingham, where we’re heading into the final day of Tory conference. After a pretty low-energy conference, all eyes are on Kemi Badenoch’s speech later this morning. Rumours are swirling that the Conservative leader will slash inheritance tax, which is only paid by the richest in the country. Party members will be hoping for something explosive in the speech to keep them buoyed amid dwindling poll ratings for the Tories. Tories 'have not learnt a single lesson' since huge election defeat Commenting ahead of Mrs Badenoch’s speech, Labour chairwoman Bridget Phillipson said the Conservatives have not “learned a single lesson” since their election defeat in 2024. She said: “Kemi Badenoch’s top team don’t even think her leadership is the ‘right way’. The Tory Leader is living in an alternate reality. “Tory Conference has blown open splits over the triple lock, her Shadow Chancellor’s secret plan for billions of extra cuts to public services, and plots to rip up hard-won renters’ rights. “The Conservative Party hasn’t learned a single lesson since they were kicked out of office. Instead of finally apologising for Liz Truss’ disastrous mini-budget, Badenoch promoted its co-author as her Shadow Chancellor. Their credibility on the economy remains in tatters. “Andy Burnham is bringing back hope to Britain. His Labour Government has a clear plan to drive good growth in every postcode, put power back into people’s hands and give people vital breathing space on the cost of living.” 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.