Rishi Sunak has told Conservatives they will not return to power unless they end the “backbiting and squabbling” that contributed to the party’s historic general election defeat.
In his final speech as leader at the Conservative Party conference, Mr Sunak urged his colleagues to unite behind whoever wins the leadership contest. He warned that continued division would only lead to a Labour government.
The former Prime Minister acknowledged that the Conservatives “did not get everything right” during their 14 years in power. However, he insisted the party should not forget its achievements, including delivering the fastest growing economy in the G7 and improving educational standards.
Mr Sunak’s plea for unity comes after the first day of the conference was overshadowed by a row between the four leadership candidates over statutory maternity pay. Kemi Badenoch faced backlash from her rivals for suggesting maternity pay was “excessive”, with Robert Jenrick saying he disagreed with her on this.
The party faithful were cheered as Mr Sunak told them the “shine is coming off Keir Starmer already” and that Labour were “making the wrong choices.” But he warned the new leader would need their full support, “especially when the going gets tough.”
