Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has delivered a rousing address to Scottish Tory members, declaring that the party can "win again" in the upcoming May election, despite a recent poll placing them in joint fourth position. Speaking at the Scottish Conservative conference held at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Badenoch sought to energise the party faithful in what marked her final conference speech before the critical Scottish vote.
Renewal and Revival Under Badenoch's Leadership
Ms Badenoch, who has held the leadership role for just over a year, emphasised that she was elected with a mandate to "renew this great party," a process she asserted is now "well under way." She outlined her vision for a revitalised Conservative Party, stating, "Under my leadership, we are building a new Conservative Party. A party fit for the 2030s, underpinned by our timeless Conservative principles."
A Clear Plan to Counter Opponents
In her speech, Badenoch positioned the Conservatives as the sole party with a viable strategy, claiming, "Unlike anyone else in British politics, we are a party with a plan to get Britain working again." She issued a stark warning against the alternatives, arguing that the party must "save this country from a path of economic suicide that is led by the Labour Party in Westminster and by the SNP here in Scotland."
She confidently predicted, "We are going to win again, and we are going to bring the good times back to Britain." To achieve this, Badenoch urged supporters to spread the message that voting Scottish Conservative and Unionist on the peach ballot paper is essential to prevent an SNP majority, recalling past successes in 2016 and 2021.
Connecting with Scottish Voters on Values
Badenoch called on party members to actively demonstrate Conservative principles, stating, "We have to show people here in Scotland that if they care about aspiration, if they care about family and their neighbourhoods, the Conservatives are the party that share your values." She stressed the importance of translating these values into actionable plans, adding, "We've got to tell them that, we have to show them that these aren't just slogans, but that we also have the plan to back them up."
The leader's address underscored a determined effort to rally support and frame the election as a pivotal choice between Conservative renewal and what she described as detrimental policies from rival parties.
