The Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham has a clear star attraction: an 80-foot parody of the Bayeux Tapestry, dubbed the Birmingham Tapestry, which tells the story of British politics since the 2024 election. The exhibit, which features embroidered depictions of Angela Rayner vaping in a dinghy and Nigel Farage arguing with Count Binface, has been the talk of the event at the International Conference Centre.
A Shift Away from Apology
The self-consciously daft stunt signals that the Conservatives have moved past their 'apology era' more than two years after their defeat at the 2024 general election. The party believes it has found the approach to become a viable force again by the next election.
Much of that confidence rests on leader Kemi Badenoch. Two years ago, the party was still choosing Rishi Sunak's replacement. Badenoch took time to convince the party she was the right choice, with early PMQs performances shaky. But after settling in and the departure of rival Robert Jenrick to Reform, she appears secure.
Approval Ratings and Strategy
Her public approval rating has risen significantly since last year, though this has not translated to wider Conservative support. The party remains competitive with Labour and Reform at the top of the polls, and even won a Westminster by-election in Aberdeen South earlier this year.
In the conference programme, Badenoch writes that her plans are 'centred around principles our party should never have abandoned', such as free enterprise and solid borders. The argument is that pre-2024 Conservative governments were not real Conservative governments, and she is returning the party to its roots.
However, policies to abandon net zero targets and leave the ECHR have raised questions about how much she is borrowing from Reform UK. As Reform dips in the polls after scrutiny of its finances and backers, the Tories may present themselves as a less clumsy right-wing alternative.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the good mood, the party faces a long road back to government. With big-hitters like Sir James Cleverly and Dame Priti Patel gone from the shadow cabinet, few could name a single member of the opposition top team.
A bigger question hangs over potential coalition deals after the next general election. As British politics splinters, the Tories may rely on a coalition with Reform UK, but Badenoch has explicitly ruled this out. The Lib Dems plan to lean into fears of a Badenoch-Farage pact as a pillar of their electoral strategy.
With a popular leader and a plan to rebuild, there is a light-hearted feel to the gathering in Birmingham, but how long these smiles remain is uncertain.
