MP 'buzzing' after Conservative leader's speech

MP Harriett Baldwin said she felt a "buzz" after Kemi Badenoch's speech

Conservative MP Harriett Baldwin says she left the Conservative Party conference with a "buzz" after leader Kemi Badenoch "smashed" her first conference speech as party leader.

In the speech, Badenoch said the next Tory government would abolish stamp duty on the purchase of main homes to help millions "achieve the dream" of ownership.

MP for West Worcestershire Baldwin called the announcement a "rabbit out of the hat".

"This was such a strong message about Conservative values, about a stronger economy, stronger borders, about backing businesses and backing families," she said.

She added: "I haven't come out of a conference speech with the kind of buzz I've got now – I think she smashed it.

"She has really shown how it's done in terms of policy announcements. Clearly at last year's General Election people wanted to get rid of us from government, and we need to learn lessons from that.

"I thought she painted such a brighter opportunity for the country."

Badenoch described stamp duty as a "bad tax"

Badenoch's announcement on stamp duty was kept under wraps until she delivered it, telling the audience: "Stamp duty is a bad tax.

"We must free up our housing market, because a society where no one can afford to buy or move is a society where social mobility is dead."

Baldwin suggested the race to form the next government would be a "marathon, not a sprint".

"Everything she announced today I think is deliverable and well thought-through, and it will stand the test of time," she said.

Fellow Worcestershire and Conservative MP Nigel Huddleston described the speech as "spectacular", as the party continues to trail Labour and Reform UK in the polls.

The MP for Droitwich and Evesham, and shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport said: "This was a Conservative leader giving a Conservative speech, based on Conservative values.

"I think we need to be honest that we drifted away from that for a period of time."

The Labour Party responded to Badenoch's speech on X, saying she was "peddling the same fantasy economics" as Liz Truss.

The Liberal Democrats called on "one nation" Conservatives to join their party, while the Green Party said Badenoch was "out of touch".