After Kemi Badenoch's end-of-conference speech, jubilant party members chanted her name as she left the packed main hall. The hall was so crammed that many attendees could not find a seat and were relegated to a separate viewing hall – an enthusiasm not seen since the Boris Johnson era. Now that Badenoch has captured the hearts of the Tory faithful, members have been asked which MPs are flying under the radar and could be the party's next big star.
Laura Trott praised for Middlesbrough response
Joe, 28, from Ferryhill, County Durham, works in political communications and chose Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott. He was particularly impressed with her intervention following the fatal crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough, when controversy erupted over schools being closed for the funerals of those responsible.
He said: “Do you know who I actually really think is doing a very good job on the front of getting out there, saying the right things? Laura Trott.
“She's doing a very good job. Actually, I'm sure you saw some of the stuff she said about Middlesbrough, which I was really impressed with. We're far away from Westminster. Not everyone really understands places like Middlesbrough and understands the issues that we have.”
Younger MPs backed by party aide
Joey Gwinn, 23, works for MP Desmond Swayne in Northamptonshire and lives in London. He has two picks – both younger MPs who have impressed him and his friends.
He said: “Katie Lam and Jack Rankin - they are both brilliant and have just hit the ground running.”
Katie Lam is Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. “She's just honest and to the point. On grooming gangs she's not afraid to be the first person to get there on any opinion where all society's opinions are shifting. She's not afraid. She's like a younger Kemi,” said Joey.
His second pick is Jack Rankin, MP for Windsor and Parliamentary Private Secretary to Kemi Badenoch. Joey said: “He's 2024 intake. He very much champions young Conservatives and wants to hear more voices from young Conservatives and he's very good on housebuilding and creating opportunities for young people.”
Business and health backgrounds stand out
Ian Daly, 64, retired after a career running and selling businesses, lives in Worcestershire. His pick is Bradley Thomas – MP for Bromsgrove and Shadow Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business.
He said: “He's a plain speaker. I think he's got some business experience, which is unusual for someone in the shadow role. I think he was elected first time in 2024 in Bromsgrove. And he's got himself on the greasy pole already. But he's just a great communicator and I think he understands problems. And it's all about problem-solving that you need.”
Friend Nicola Bell, 61, retired but works in the not-for-profit sector, opted for Neil Shastri-Hurst, MP for Solihull West and Shadow Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Shadow Health and Social Care Team. Nicola, from South Warwickshire, said: “He's ex-army, he's ex-surgeon, he was a trauma surgeon, he's an ex-lawyer. That's why he needs mentioning. He's definitely going to be one to watch.”
Hard work and financial credibility highlighted
Maureen Levy, 60, from Blyth, is a longtime Conservative party member and deputy chairwoman of the Conservative Women's Organisation in the North-east. She went for Robert Moore, MP for Keighley and Ilkley and Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
She said: “Robbie is really good, He is very, very, very hardworking. I have seen him at so many events this week and he absolutely knows his stuff - everywhere you go people are speaking so very highly of him. The guy from the National Farmers' Union said that Robbie had visited more farms than him!”
Husband Ian Levy, 60, a company director and former MP for Blyth Valley, chose Andrew Griffith, the Shadow Chancellor. He said: “If you don't get the figures right then basically you can't run a health service, you can't run the police, education, defence - you can't defend the country. I think the country would be in very safe hands with Andrew. He knows what he's doing, he knows his stuff and I think he would be the man who would be able to deliver to make sure the money goes into the pot for to spend on benefits, on defence and make sure we have everything in place. If you don't get the money in, you can't spend it. You can't just keep raising taxes or borrowing money.”
