The candidate has a far greater measure of a key political quality than her rivals James Cleverly and Robert Jenrick.

Kemi Badenoch has claimed young Conservatives are marked down at university because of their personal politics. Speaking at the end of the annual Tory conference, the leadership candidate told party delegates that the younger generation are “afraid to share their politics” out of fear their peers will attack them or lecturers will mark them down.

The Conservative Party stands at the biggest crossroads in its modern history. The country faces major challenges at home and abroad that need fresh thinking and bold ideas. Choosing our next leader is not just about winning the next general election.