Farage and Reform ‘not the cause of Tory problems, but a symptom’, says Badenoch – as it happened

The Tory leadership candidate says the party churned out a laundry-list of promises instead of listening to members

Kemi Badenoch, who is the bookies' favourite to be the next Conservative leader, has told Times Radio that the contest is poised neck and neck".

Interviewed by Kate McCann, Badenoch told listeners:

People are tired of the party looking like it is not out working for the people out there. That is what I want to bring: integrity, and a focus on conviction and conservative values.

There is something very significant that is going on, we are picking a leader of the opposition. People have a choice.

This is a sacrifice, because I worry about the direction of the country.

I worry about a lot of decisions we make, and us not being honest with the public about the serious trade-offs that are going to be required, and not saying enough about how the world is becoming a more dangerous place.