{
  "id": 11823428,
  "title": "Tory conference 2026: What POLITICO reporters are watching for",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/tory-conference-2026-what-politico-reporters-are-watching-for",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T02:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Politico EU",
    "slug": "politico-eu",
    "url": "https://www.politico.eu/article/tory-conference-2026-what-politico-reporters-are-watching-for/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Birmingham, England — The Conservative Party's annual conference begins in Birmingham, showcasing its continued presence in the electoral arena. Despite Leader Kemi Badenoch's growing popularity, the party still lags behind Labour and populist Reform UK. POLITICO's reporters will focus on several key areas during the conference.\n\nU.K. Political Editor Dan Bloom will closely examine Badenoch's speech to assess if she can end Prime Minister Andy Burnham's honeymoon period. Labour has gained significant support since July, now trailing the Conservatives and Reform UK. Badenoch will likely emphasize cutting welfare to fund defense, targeting Labour's weak points. She aims to differentiate the Tories from Labour and Reform, promising fiscal responsibility; however, economic policy announcements may not be as extensive as last year's stamp duty pledge.\n\nSenior Foreign and Defense Correspondent Esther Webber will analyze the party's stance on foreign affairs, particularly Labour's potential concessions on Israeli settlements and China relations. The Conservatives may highlight these as areas where they can capitalize on Labour's perceived weaknesses. Additionally, the party's approach to artificial intelligence regulation and potential collaboration with Reform UK will be scrutinized.\n\nLondon Influence Reporter John Johnston will evaluate the conference's impact on business confidence, particularly after the 2024 general election. Despite fewer corporate representatives than previous years, ticket sales suggest a healthy turnout. The Conservatives aim to demonstrate they can be a credible alternative, potentially influencing business concerns and policy agendas. Energy Reporter Abby Wallace will focus on the party's shift away from legally-binding climate targets and their proposed increase in oil and gas drilling. She will monitor whether these changes have permeated the party's ranks and whether there is pressure from opposition members to address rising energy costs.",
  "summary": "From AI to bank taxes, there are plenty of spaces for Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives to carve out a niche, POLITICO reporters write in from Birmingham.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}