A battle for freebies is breaking out among the Tory leadership contenders

Tory leadership contenders have launched a freebie battle to win votes from party members in the battle to succeed Rishi Sunak.

The four candidates vying for the position of opposition leader showered Conservative Party conference attendees with an increasingly bizarre array of branded gifts, including friendship bracelets, gladiator-style foam fingers, sweets, “no-leaks” water bottles and T-shirts. Shirts and even fake tan.

Each of the rivals has a stall at the exhibition center in Birmingham, where they hand out goods to attract party members.

Frontrunner Robert Jenrick handed out baseball caps with the words “We want Bobby J” to the amused crowd on Monday morning.

But the former immigration minister, who has made his promise to “bring manufacturing back to Britain” a key part of his leadership campaign, caused a stir when he handed out T-shirts made in Bangladesh.

James Cleverly refuses to only give away branded items.

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

Prizes include “Caffeinate with Cleverly” cups and “No Leaks Here” bottles.

There is also an “Electricity for our Members” charging bank as part of the Cleverly campaign.

The former home secretary also took aim at the Swiftie vote at the conference, with supporters handing out friendship bracelets with “JC4Leader” written on them.

Tom Tugendhat has the largest range of merchandise and a prime spot in the middle of the exhibition hall, although rivals have pointed out that he was placed next to the “Dignity in Dying” stand.

The shadow security minister’s fans were seen wearing foam fingers and handing out bottles of fake virtue tan, complete with the slogan “Glow up your conference”.

His goodie bags contain M&Ms printed with pictures of his face and he also has a range of novelty mugs with the slogan: “Sir Keir’s tears as Tom is elected leader”.

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

The shadow housing secretary hands out lanyards and tote bags as well as “principle mints” and green apples with “Kemi” stickers on them.

When asked about their relatively modest merch offering, a “Vote Kemi” activist joked: “Unlike a certain Tom Virtue-tat, we don’t have to bribe for votes.”

Referring to Charli

The remaining leadership candidates will make their case at the Conservative Party conference before Tory MPs vote to cut the group down to two candidates next month.

Party members will cast their votes on October 31st and the winner will be announced on November 2nd.