Councillor Rags Sandhu attended the Conservative Party Conference 2024 at Birmingham's International Convention Centre (ICC), a pivotal gathering as the party sought to regroup after recent electoral challenges and chart a course for renewal under new leadership.
Why Was the 2024 Conference So Significant?
The 2024 Conservative Party Conference arrived at a defining moment. Following the party's defeat in the general election, this was the first major conference where members, activists, and elected representatives came together to take stock, reflect honestly on what went wrong, and begin the process of rebuilding.
With approximately 10,000 attendees descending on the ICC over four days, the energy in Birmingham was a mixture of determination and candid self-assessment. For councillors like me, serving Bexleyheath Ward in the London Borough of Bexley, the conference offered a chance to feed local perspectives into the national conversation.
Who Were the Leadership Candidates?
The conference was dominated by the leadership contest, with four candidates making their case to party members:
- Kemi Badenoch -- advocating for a return to core conservative principles and institutional reform
- James Cleverly -- emphasising electability, unity, and a broader appeal to the centre ground
- Tom Tugendhat -- positioning himself as a fresh start and a break from the recent past
- Robert Jenrick -- focusing on immigration policy and sovereignty as central issues
Each candidate held fringe events, Q&A sessions, and media appearances throughout the conference, giving members a thorough opportunity to assess their vision. The debates were robust and, at times, heated -- a sign of a party taking the contest seriously.
What Role Did Conservative Friends of India Play?
Alongside the main conference programme, I was involved with the Conservative Friends of India (CF India) stand, which serves as a bridge between the Conservative Party and the British-Indian community. CF India has over 3,000 members and is one of the party's most active affiliated groups.
The stand attracted significant footfall, with members and senior figures discussing policy priorities important to the British-Indian diaspora -- from enterprise and education to cultural recognition and UK-India trade relations. It was encouraging to see the breadth of engagement from attendees of all backgrounds.
How Does National Politics Affect Bexleyheath?
Decisions made at the national level ripple directly into our ward. Policies on housing, policing, local government funding, and transport all shape the daily experience of residents in Bexleyheath and across the London Borough of Bexley. Attending conference ensures that the voice of our community is heard when those policies are debated.
You can read more about my priorities for the ward and how I work to represent residents' interests at every level.
What Comes Next?
Conferences are not just about speeches -- they are about the connections forged in corridors, at fringe events, and over working lunches. The relationships built at Birmingham will shape how our party engages with the challenges ahead, from the cost of living to public services and community safety.
I returned to Bexleyheath with a renewed sense of purpose. Whatever the national political landscape, my focus remains on delivering for the residents of our ward. To learn more about my work and values, please visit the about page.
Get in Touch
If you have views on the direction of the party or local issues you would like me to raise, I am always keen to hear from you. Please contact me -- your perspective matters.
Cllr Rags Sandhu Bexleyheath Ward, London Borough of Bexley