Conservative party members at this year's conference have a clear message for Kemi Badenoch: keep doing what she's doing. Asked what the leader needs to do to win the next election, a similar theme came back again and again - stay the course.
A year on from her election, Badenoch seems adored by her party, with many comparing her to Margaret Thatcher thanks to her considered plans and refusal to act on the hoof. But impressing members of her own party is one thing - cutting through to the wider public and getting swing voters to put a cross next to her name at the ballot box is quite another.
Consistency coming through
Tyler Reeton, 25, a Conservative council candidate in Knaresborough and transport officer, feels the party has some oomph back thanks to Kemi. He said: "I think her approach to leadership has been the right one. It's been quite slow at times, been quite steady, but she has been consistent. And I think that consistency is now coming through in terms of a positive approach from the public."
The father of one added: "I do genuinely think Kemi [is going to be the next PM]. I think we just need to hold strong, keep strong and keep doing what we're doing. That's the right way forward, really."
Strong contender next time
Jonathan Ash-Edwards, 39, the Conservative police and crime commissioner in Hertfordshire, also thinks Badenoch needs to stay the course. He said: "I think if you look at the progress that Kemi has made over a year and then you think about three years to the next General Election, you would have to be stupid to write her off. If she continues on that trajectory of making difficult choices, being clear and authentic with people, leading even when it's sometimes not the easiest thing to do in terms of conventional wisdom…another three years of growth on Kemi, you would say she's a really strong contender next time, I think."
Reena Ranger, 48, a Conservative councillor in Hertfordshire and part of a family business, loves Kemi's careful planning. The mum of two said: "I think people needed hope, and I think people needed a plan, and I think Kemi's bought both of those things. I think after what has been, to politely put it, a turbulent time in politics, a turbulent time in the nation, a turbulent time in the world, I think Kemi is somebody who's got a plan. A roadmap that she's just now published, which I'm very interested to read."
Restoring trust in politics
Ranger added: "And I think maybe we're tired of people promising us quick fixes that don't come to fruition. And we need to restore trust in politics. And the only way you do that is to have a well-thought-out, considered plan so that when people go to the ballot box next time, I hope that they will have that faith in what they're signing up for."
Nicola Bell, 61, retired but working in the not-for-profit sector and living in South Warwickshire, thinks winning back voters who abandoned the party in 2024 is key. She said: "I think she needs to appeal to our voters we lost to the Lib Dems as well as our voters to Reform. To be honest, the ones from Reform are coming back anyway - and the others can stay there. Because I think any of those voters are not natural Lib Dem or Reform voters. They were looking for a place after 2024."
Ian Daly, 64, retired after a career in running and selling businesses and living in Worcestershire, offered simple advice - keep calm and carry on. He said: "I think she just needs to carry on what she's doing at the moment - it's a slow thing. People respond to reassurance, and she's become our front woman, and I think she needs to bring her team's profile up so we've actually got a complete pack, which we are formulating now. But that will take time to bed in."
The message for Kemi? It seems Tories want her to just keep doing what she's doing - slow and steady wins the race.
