𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

I can still remember the moment I was given perhaps the grimmest ever prediction about my party, the Conservative Party. It was very late – or perhaps early – and I was propping up the bar after another late night hopping from one event to another at the annual Tory party conference, trying to grab the free wine and food (and perhaps the odd bit of policy). I’d got chatting to someone who worked at some kind of political consultancy, looking at polls and predictions.

The exact details – or even the year – are hazy. But it was toward the end of our 14-year reign in power and we were lurching from one crisis to the next. His prediction, however, firmly stuck in my head.

“How bad is it?” I asked, knowing that, despite being in power, we were in the midst of a slow car crash.

Very, very bad was the gist. And, he said, if Labour did get in at the next election, we could be out of power for a decade – or perhaps more.

Of course, there’s been a lot of change since that moment – more Tory turmoil than I ever thought possible, a slew of party leaders and a new political contender in Nigel Farage and Reform. But his prediction still haunted me. In fact, last year at conference, it was ringing in my ears as one Tory told me it felt funeral-esque. But this year…well. We’re only 12 months on and it definitely feels very different.

Luke Robert Black, 33, lives in London and supports small businesses.

He said: “The mood is buoyant and extremely positive. What’s different this year is that this is a party united and razor-focused on building a positive and ambitious offer to voters.”

Luke, who is also the director of engagement of the Next Gen Tories, added: “I’m really looking forward to more of Kemi’s offer for young people. Labour is taxing them out of work and Reform calls them lazy – Kemi is really the only leader talking about young people.”

Igraine Gray, 32, is a writer and lives in Loftus, North Yorkshire. She is also feeling the positivity.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to has genuinely been looking forward to conference, it feels more settled than it did last year or 2024, like we’ve found our footing and know how we’re moving forward,” said Igraine.

She added: “There are some really forward-looking discussions going on this year, especially around tech, energy and culture, which are always the best parts of conference.”

Kiran Fothergill, 32, is the director of Pickerings Lifts. He lives in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire.

He said: “The mood is really positive. There’s a sense of purpose, urgency and togetherness that is exciting. We’ve got a serious job to do and we’ve got the leadership that is delivering.”

Transport officer Tyler Reeton, 25, is a Conservative council candidate in Knaresborough and feels the party has some oomph back.

He said: “From last year we’ve got 50% more young Conservatives here. There’s a good energy – there’s a good vibe, if you will.”

He added: “There’s a lot of people up and down the country now here for the first time.”

His girlfriend Isobelle Horne, 19, agreed.

“100%,” she said when I asked her if things were more upbeat.

Isobelle, from Kent, is a student at Leeds University who also works in retail, said: “I think last year there was loads of people there kind of questioning their membership and questioning if they should switch to Reform. I’ve not heard one person question their membership.”

Sai Karthik Madabhushi, 45, is a software engineer who is also a Conservative councillor at Brent Council and lives in Wembley.

He said: “There’s a more positive vibe compared to last year. Last year after Sunday, or maybe even Monday noon, it was very quiet.”

He added: “But this year there’s a lot more optimism.”

Good vibes don’t win elections and there is a lot of water to pass under the bridge before 2029. A lot.

But to me it feels like, under Kemi, the Conservative Party is finally getting its groove back.