The Conservative Party's forthcoming conference in Birmingham, which begins on Sunday, is widely expected to be more upbeat and unified compared to last year's event. There is also a general agreement within the party that leader Kemi Badenoch is performing well.
However, this improved mood comes as the party continues to poll as a distant third, with one Conservative MP stating, "The mood is better but the facts are still very poor." The party's current polling is reportedly lower than its 2024 election result.
Concerns exist among some Tories regarding Badenoch's focus on regaining support from Reform UK, with a shadow minister suggesting a need to attract voters who left for the Liberal Democrats as well. Recent pledges from the Tories include barring non-Britons from social housing, stripping UK citizenship from dual nationals convicted of serious crimes, and cutting some benefits payments to a "subsistence" level.
Despite these concerns, there is a relative lack of open dissent within the party, partly attributed to Badenoch's approach to decision-making and improved performance in the Commons. Her personal poll ratings have also seen a rise, with her net favourability score increasing by 20 points, though it remains at minus 15.