Conservatives prepare for possible early election ahead of conference

The Conservatives are preparing for their Birmingham party conference as though it could be their last before a general election, BBC News reports. Leader Kemi Badenoch has given that instruction to her team and expects Prime Minister Andy Burnham to call an election within a year, although some of her aides disagree. Party leaders began holding weekly election-planning meetings shortly after Burnham succeeded Keir Starmer. [1]

Badenoch is due to speak on Sunday and Wednesday under the conference slogan “Stronger economy, stronger country”. The party also plans to introduce people who have applied to be candidates at the next election. Shadow-cabinet member Neil O’Brien has begun work with the party’s head of policy on a manifesto intended to be shorter than usual. [1]

Her speeches are expected to build on recent proposals to cut benefits for the long-term unemployed. She also intends to reaffirm Conservative support for the state-pension triple lock, which raises payments each year by the highest of inflation, wage growth or 2.5%. Burnham has proposed removing its automatic link to average earnings from 2030, while retaining a minimum rise tied to inflation or 2.5%. [1]