In the Northamptonshire town of Kettering this weekend, all talk was of the long-awaited showdown between two rivals, one the clear favorite to triumph.

But before the start of the FA Cup first round tie between non-league Northampton Town and Kettering, a pub opened its doors early so local Tories could watch their own match.

At the Stirrup Cup café bar, around 30 members seemed quite divided over their vote in the decisive final round of their party’s leadership race.

After such a bruising general election, choosing someone who could bring calm was a concern for many.

Latest policies: Reaction after the revelation of the new leader of the opposition

MP and businessman Michael Walton told Sky News he chose Robert Jenrick at the last minute, even though he thought Kemi Badenoch would “really shake up” the Labor Party.

“Ultimately, I thought we needed a period of stability, so I thought Robert would be the calmer of the two candidates,” he said.

Others took a different view of the way forward, believing that conservatives needed to move definitively to the right.

“The party is too centrist in its current form, we have alienated core voters – that’s why we lost the last election,” one man said.

Although even this Badenoch fan acknowledged her tendency to criticize some, saying she would benefit from becoming more “rounded” as a politician.

There was also some frustration that former Home Secretary James Cleverly did not make the final ballot.

“I hope Robert wins, I also hoped James would be his deputy as announced, but James announcing last night that he was going to become a backbencher was a bit disappointing,” said the local party chairman, Mark Rowley.

Analysis:
Hamish Badenoch: A Denis Thatcher or a Philip May?
Badenoch’s narrow victory means she will be looking over her shoulder

Speaking off-camera, others were more critical of the choice presented to them and the absence of an openly centrist candidate.

Some Cleverly fans have said they will now support Kemi Badenoch, amid simmering suspicion over Robert Jenrick’s sudden shift to right-wing politics.

“I think this is an attempt to play to the members’ favor rather than his actual beliefs… Kemi is the better of the two options,” said member Josh Pitt.

Like the the final result has been announceda wave of polite applause spread through the room.

Profile of Kemi Badenoch:
Combative past of the new conservative leader

Kemi Badenoch’s first speech as leader, however, impressed many – with tough speeches about it being ‘time to tell the truth’ which found favor.

“I saw aspects of Margaret Thatcher in her and I hope she is like that because I think we need a strong leader. Previously we were a bit foolish with Rishi Sunak,” he said. declared a young member.

A lingering tension remains, however – after such a devastating defeat in July – could this combative politician be consumed by internal drama as she attempts to force her party to take a long look in the mirror?

Among the media at the Conservative conference last month, Badenoch was often referred to as “the reporter’s choice” – given her propensity to stir up trouble and grab headlines.

Read more about British politics:
Kemi Badenoch’s fighting past
CPS approves trial of suspended Labor MP

But Kettering party deputy chairman Jonathon Smith sees this ability to attract attention as a positive.

“I don’t think she’s too worried about telling people hard truths, I don’t think she’s going to worry about upsetting people in that way. I think politics is often about upsetting people , but in a polite way,” he said. said.

In the Northamptonshire FA Cup derby, Kettering got off to a poor start after a first-half own goal before scoring an extra-time winner to spring a surprise.

Conservative members could experience a similarly dramatic adventure with their latest choice of leader.