QUENTIN LETTS: Words spat out of Mrs Badenoch like machine-gun bullets. Not wearing a helmet, I ducked for cover

Kemi Badenoch used a packed London speech to attack political rivals and argue for lower taxes and reduced public spending. The columnist presents her combative style as part of the Conservatives’ attempt to revive their fortunes, while noting that the performance energised supporters.

About 400 people attended the event at the Institution of Civil Engineers, where Badenoch spoke for just over half an hour. She criticised Andy Burnham, Labour figures, former Conservative leaders and MPs who defected to Reform, and said the defence spending increase she wanted was less than a third of the rise in welfare spending since Labour took office. Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith spoke beforehand and made the case for tax cuts and spending reductions ahead of the Budget.