The Papers: 'Kemi's family home pledge' and 'Badenoch invokes core Tory values'

Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, delivered a confident speech at the party's annual conference in Birmingham on October 4th, aiming to reshape her party’s image after their historic defeat in the 2024 general election. Her stance is that she represents a "common sense" and "no-nonsense" approach, positioning herself as the antithesis of Labour’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Reform UK's leader Nigel Farage, whom she has characterized respectively as a "cheesy uncle" and a "grumpy grandpa." Despite trailing in polls behind both Labour and Reform UK, Badenoch argues that her party is now distinct from the one defeated in 2024, highlighting plans to tighten welfare policies and expand prison capacity. Her personal poll ratings are higher than those of the Conservative Party itself, indicating a growing public recognition and support for her leadership style. The conference also marked a return to larger venues, signaling an attempt by the Conservatives to regain their footing on the national stage after facing significant challenges in recent years.