Freebies battle breaks out among Tory leadership contenders

 (ES)
(ES)

Tory leadership contenders have begun a battle of freebies in a bid to win votes to replace Rishi Sunak.

The four candidates vying to become leader of the opposition have been showering attendees at the Conservative Party Conference with an increasingly bizarre selection of branded gifts, including friendship bracelets, Gladiators-style foam fingers, sweets, "no leaks" water bottles, t-shirts and even fake tan.

Each of the rivals has a stall in the exhibition centre in Birmingham where they are handing out merchandise to entice party members.

Frontrunner Robert Jenrick was handing out "we want Bobby J" baseball caps to bemused crowds on Monday morning.

 (ES)
(ES)

But the former immigration minister, who has made his vow to “bring manufacturing back to Britain” a major part of his leadership campaign, raised a few eyebrows by giving out T-shirts made in Bangladesh.

James Cleverly is refusing to just give out branded goods.

To get your hands on some of his merch, supporters have to hand over their email address and phone number before spinning a wheel to win a reward.

Prizes include “Caffeinate with Cleverly” cups as well as flasks saying “no leaks here”.

Friendship bracelets, M&Ms and lanyards are among the branded merch being handed out (ES)
Friendship bracelets, M&Ms and lanyards are among the branded merch being handed out (ES)

A "power to our members" charging bank is also on offer from the Cleverly campaign.

The ex Home Secretary has also been targeting the Swiftie vote at conference, with supporters handing out friendship bracelets with "JC4Leader" on them.

Tom Tugendhat has the largest array of merchandise and a prime spot in the centre of the exhibition hall, although rivals have pointed out he has been placed next to the "dignity in dying" stall.

The shadow security minister's fans have been seen wearing foam fingers and handing out bottles of fake Tugend-tan complete with the slogan "glow up your conference”.

His goodie bags contains M&Ms printed with pictures of his face, while he also has a range of novelty cups that bear the slogan: “Sir Keir’s tears when Tom is elected leader”.

Tory leadership candidate James Cleverly attends a hustings event during the Conservative Party Conference (PA Wire)
Tory leadership candidate James Cleverly attends a hustings event during the Conservative Party Conference (PA Wire)

Kemi Badenoch appears to have the most eco-friendly freebies.

The shadow housing secretary is giving out lanyards and tote bags alongside "principled peppermints" and green apples with "Kemi" stickers on them.

Asked about her relatively modest merch offer, one "vote Kemi" activist joked: "We don't need to bribe for votes, unlike a certain Tom Tugend-tat".

Referencing Charli XCX's song "Apple" from her album "Brat", a Tugendhat supporter hit back: "I could make a joke about being 'rotten to the core', but I won't."

The remaining leadership candidates are making their case at the Conservative Party Conference before Tory MPs vote to whittle the group down to two contenders next month.

The party membership will cast their votes on October 31 and the winner announced on November 2.