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Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch addressed concerns about her party's third-place standing in opinion polls at their annual conference by emphasizing a return to core principles. When asked if the party was in denial, she responded that they were feeling positive because of their clear political identity rather than an expectation of imminent electoral success. She ruled out forming a coalition with Reform UK in the event of a hung parliament, stating instead that another election would be held if no single party achieved an overall majority.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-06,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
At the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, leader Kemi Badenoch addressed concerns about her party's third-place standing behind Labour and Reform UK in opinion polls. When asked by the BBC if the party was in denial, she responded that they are "feeling chipper because we know who we are," referring to a return to core principles outlined in her treatise titled The Right Way. Despite acknowledging that polling shows a hung parliament with no clear majority winner, Badenoch remains optimistic and predicts that people will vote for the Conservatives when they see the party as distinct and principled. The conference also saw optimism over overcoming the threat of being overtaken by Reform UK, which had previously posed a significant challenge to the Conservative Party's stability.
Written for “UK Political Coalition Discussions” on 2026-10-06,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it +0.35, but all 2 of its quote(s) are attributed speech - words the article quotes from someone, not the article's own narration, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 60530: attributed speech only · logged 2026-10-06
The Conservative leader said party members at their annual conference felt “happy because we know who we are” despite remaining third in opinion polls behind Labour and Reform.
asserted
we → say → Labour
Asked by the BBC if her party’s happy mood meant it was collectively in denial, Mrs Badenoch said: “We are feeling chipper because we are going back to first principles.”
asserted
we → ask → principles
She published a treatise setting out core tenets of her political philosophy as the conference started, titled The Right Way.
asserted
conference → publish → philosophy
Mrs Badenoch acknowledged the party was “not out of the woods yet” after its crippling 2024 general election defeat, with polling showing its popularity is lower than at that time.
asserted
popularity → acknowledge → time
She added: “People at conference aren’t happy because we’re about to win an election, we’re happy because we know who we are.
asserted
we → add → election
We’re not afraid to say what we think, and we’re prepared to fight for what we believe.
asserted
we → ’re → what
“And that’s the message that we’re taking out to the country.
asserted
we → ’ → country
And when people see that we’re a different Conservative Party, they will vote for us.”
asserted
they → see → us
She added: “I’m not saying that we would win.
asserted
we → add → ?
The current polling shows a hung parliament, no party getting an overall majority.
asserted
polling → show → majority
But we’re the only credible alternative to Labour, only ones with a plan.
asserted
we → ’re → plan
Look at what we talked about on defence today.”
asserted
we → look → defence
Asked if she would consider a coalition with Reform in a hung parliament, she appeared to rule out the possibility, telling the BBC: “I have said that we would have another election if there was no overall majority.”
asserted
we → ask → election
Read More
Sir Jacob said it would be “bonkers” not to support such a move.
asserted
it → read → move
At a fringe event at party conference, the audience was asked to raise their hand if they were a Tory member who would support a post-election coalition between the two parties if it meant “stopping a left-wing government”.
asserted
it → ask → government
Sir Jacob, who was speaking in conversation at the event, said: “If anyone didn’t put their hand up, you’re bonkers.”
asserted
you → speak → hand
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