Seven top Mail writers give their verdict on the beauty contest for Tory leadership… with one candidate the clear winner

It was the showpiece of the Tory leadership campaign, with the four remaining contenders making their pitch to the party faithful from the conference stage. And when Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat made their case, seven of the Mail’s top writers were on display. Here they give their opinion on the speeches, where everyone chooses their winner.

Sara Vine

I went into this final round of pitches in favor of Kemi Badenoch – and came out still in favor of Kemi, but also very impressed with James Cleverly. Badenoch is my kind of woman: she speaks her mind, isn’t afraid to ruffle feathers and, most importantly, drives lefties crazy. Her speech was punchy, to the point and full of real passion and energy. That said, I wasn’t too keen on the Maggie Thatcher-style blue skirt suit, but she doesn’t have Lord Alli’s clothing budget either.

If I have any criticism, it’s that she came across very much as a ‘my way or the highway’ type of leader – which is fine in government, but perhaps more difficult when you’re trying to unite a divided party.

Watching Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat make their case were seven of the Mail’s top writers

On that level, Cleverly’s warm, almost fatherly vibe felt more effective, and his relentless positivity was quite uplifting. Plus, I loved his self-deprecating Luton joke. The other two? Tom Tugendhat is too one-note for me, as lovely as he is; and Robert Jenrick reminds me of a used car salesman: too slick, a little slick, not quite sincere.

My winner: Kemi Badenoch

Quentin Letts

War veteran Tom Tugendhat, 51, appeared strangely calm and nervous. Robert Jenrick, 42, waved his crooked right index finger, but his speech felt lined with thunderclouds. Four years of banging on about immigration might not be much fun.

Kemi Badenoch, 44, was a moving figure – so small on the big stage and yet so bold in her condemnations of the left-wing establishment.

“Stop being afraid of our beliefs,” she shouted.

James Cleverly took the laurels in the hall. At 55, he was the oldest of the contenders, he was the one they voluntarily clapped, the one who made them laugh, made them believe

Kemi, the only one commonly known by her first name, could be the mastermind of a right-wing revival.

But James Cleverly took the laurels in the hall. At 55, he was the oldest of the contenders, the one they voluntarily clapped, the one who made them laugh, made them believe.

“Conservatism with a smile,” he said.

It’s about time the Tories ‘be FOR things again’ instead of always whining.

My winner: James Slim

Andrew Pierce

Against all odds, James Cleverly, the former home secretary, won comfortably against pre-conference favorite Robert Jenrick.

Cleverly, previously an outsider, has had a good week. In his speech he sounded authoritative with policy ideas such as the abolition of stamp duties and a long-awaited defense of the free market and a smaller state. A former Home and Foreign Secretary cleverly struck a chord when he declared: ‘This is no time for an apprentice.’ He sounded like a conservative. The bookmakers have already lowered his odds.

In a confident performance, Kemi Badenoch delighted the party faithful with her attacks on identity politics. But it was curiously policy-based

Jenrick was the most policy-minded, promising to regain control of our borders by repealing Tony Blair’s Human Rights Act and taking us out of the European Court of Human Rights. But the most striking idea? Rebranding as the New Conservative Party. New Labor worked for Blair. It just might work for Jenrick.

In a confident performance, Kemi Badenoch delighted the party faithful with her attacks on identity politics. But it was curiously policy-based, with the focus instead on winning the culture wars. Not enough to erase the damage from maternity benefits or the call for the imprisonment of officials, which might explain why she was the only one who refused to talk to the press afterward…

Within two minutes, Tom Tugendhat played his trump card: his time as a senior army officer. The speech was splashed with military references but had no striking idea or policy. He advocated an immigration cap, but never said how he would achieve it. A strong performer this week, but his speech was surprisingly flat.

My winner: James Slim

Stephen Glover

The beauty contest for the four remaining Tory leadership candidates didn’t go exactly as I expected. One of them was much better.

Tom Tugendhat brought no surprises. He is stiff, decent and honorable. If you’re planning on crossing the Sahara Desert with one water bottle between two, this former army officer is your man. But Prime Minister material?

Robert Jenrick’s speech, expertly delivered without American campaign-style notes, was also what you’d expect. I didn’t disagree with anything he said on topics ranging from securing our borders to strengthening defenses. But there was something slick and superficial about his performance.

Tom Tugendhat brought no surprises. If you’re planning on crossing the Sahara Desert with one water bottle between two, this former army officer is your man

Kemi Badenoch was similarly billed: confident and strong. She wants to ‘reprogram the British state’. A bit vague and possibly risky. She has star quality, but spoke too much in generalities.

The standout speech was that of James Cleverly. His backstory as a mixed-race child growing up in Lewisham touched my heart. He was funny, too – he joked that as a member of the Army Reserve he “got the call.” Hoping to be sent to Iraq, he ended up in Luton. I don’t know if he is smart enough to be Prime Minister, but he is a politician of substance. Easily the most powerful speech.

My winner: James Slim

Nadine Dorries

When I sat down to watch the speeches, it was already clear to me: I would be happy if Cleverly, Jenrick or Tugendhat were elected by the members as leader of my party.

But words in a set speech are one thing, as Tugendhat, who was first in line, pointed out. Character is crucial. The candidate who lacked integrity for me was Badenoch, a conspirator who helped oust Boris Johnson.

Her speech perfectly summed up why she is so divisive. She views politics as a game. The outright winner was Cleverly. His rousing speech was straight out of the Boris playbook. No surprise, as he spent his entire political apprenticeship at the knee of our election winner, from his days in the Town Hall when Boris was Mayor to Westminster, where he became Foreign Secretary.

He reminded us of everything we had achieved, from Brexit to the vaccine rollout, and in a speech full of hope and optimism, he took charge of the future by outlining that our best days were yet to come. He was humble and deeply apologetic for the behavior of Conservative MPs in the last parliament – ​​and let’s face it, that had to be done.

My winner: James Slim

Then Hodges

Today’s conferences only confirmed that the choice facing the Tories over their new leader is so stark that it is not really a choice at all. Robert Jenrick’s breathless Thatcherism showed that he is in fact a symbol for disillusioned former allies of Suella Braverman, and that he would drive the Tories to the political margins and oblivion.

Kemi Badenoch’s giggles underlined that she currently lacks the maturity and temperament to hold the highest office in the land. Tom Tugendhat was solid, but his liberal instincts would fracture his party and deepen divisions on the right.

Robert Jenrick’s breathless Thatcherism showed he is in fact a cypher for disillusioned former allies of Suella Braverman

James Cleverly’s speech reaffirmed that he is the only candidate with serious cabinet experience. He is the only candidate with an ounce of charisma. And as an ally of Boris Johnson who grudgingly earned the respect of the One Nation group of MPs, the only one with any hope of bringing Tory unity.

Perhaps most importantly, he is the only candidate who has properly heard the message the British people delivered to his party in July.

“Sorry,” he said, in a clear and important act of contrition.

When parties lose power, they invariably lose the next five years in an orgy of self-indulgent infighting and self-blame. Either the Tories elect James Cleverly or they could prepare for the same fate.

My winner: James Slim

Daniel Johnson

Kemi Badenoch started this conference with confidence: ‘Nice speeches, guys, but I think you all know that I’m the one everyone has been waiting for.’

It was worth the wait. Alone of the four candidates, Kemi has the chemistry, character and charisma to defeat the Starmer army.

Not that the others spoke badly. James Cleverly regaled us with his childhood as ‘a mixed-race kid in Lewisham’ and joked about his Warhammer toy soldiers. Tom Tugendhat reminded us (again) of his army background. Both came across as decent, competent guys – just a bit boring.

Robert Jenrick’s speech, on the other hand, failed completely. Claiming that Mrs Thatcher became leader in 1974 – it was 1975 – wasn’t Jenrick’s only false note: the last thing the Tories need is to be a ‘union for working people’, whatever that means, let alone a Blairite rebranding as ‘the New Conservative Party’.

Only Kemi is not afraid of opposition. “We’re going to have fun,” she beamed, embracing her combative reputation: “I don’t fight for the sake of fighting, but… I will always fight against left-wing nonsense.” If the Tories are looking for a leader who will take on Labor, their choice is clear.

My winner: Kemi Badenoch