Kemi Badenoch Aims to Revive Conservative Party Ahead of Conference

Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, has likened her role to “picking up a distressed asset and turning it around.” With the party’s poll ratings struggling to surpass 20 percent in recent months, she urged party members to allow her time to rebuild following last year’s historic electoral loss. Speaking to POLITICO’s Anne McElvoy ahead of the party’s annual conference in Manchester next week, Badenoch emphasized the importance of a long-term strategy over short-term gains.

“To use a corporate analogy, the quarterly returns may not be great, but the long-term strategy will deliver,” Badenoch said. She acknowledged that the road to recovery would be challenging, noting, “We are attempting to do something that has not been done before,” referring to the task of regaining government within a single term after a significant defeat.

Badenoch plans to shift her focus at the conference from earlier themes of culture wars and free speech to addressing the economic record of the Labour Party. She criticized Labour’s Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, in anticipation of an upcoming budget that may include tax increases. “Business leaders have expressed concerns directly to me,” she stated, recalling that Reeves had assured the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) she would not seek further tax rises. “Now they’ve seen that the change is a lot worse,” she said, citing complaints from businesses about broken promises.

Rebuilding trust with the business community is a priority for Badenoch, as she aims to restore the party’s reputation for economic competence. “Business got disillusioned with us because they felt that we were being complacent,” she explained. Recent defections from the party, including Danny Kruger, a prominent member of her frontbench team, underscore the challenges she faces. “We have a tough journey ahead of us,” she remarked, acknowledging that not everyone has the stamina for difficult times. She noted that Kruger did not consult her before joining Nigel Farage‘s Reform UK party.

When asked about the possibility of further defections, Badenoch expressed a firm stance: “Some people just jump wherever they think the wind is blowing. We need MPs who are going to stay the course and stay true to our values.”

In the context of recent debates over immigration, Badenoch remarked on the exchanges between Farage and Labour leader Keir Starmer. She asserted that both leaders are “squabbling like children,” emphasizing that the country requires responsible leadership. She criticized Farage for his controversial proposals regarding indefinite leave for settled migrants, labeling him as someone who “stirs things up and agitates.”

Badenoch also addressed criticisms regarding her association with the recent “Unite the Kingdom” march, which featured far-right activist Tommy Robinson. “Endlessly talking about Tommy Robinson is making him a big name,” she noted, suggesting that the focus should remain on substantive issues rather than individual figures.

Reflecting on the broader rise of populism and right-wing politics, Badenoch emphasized the government’s responsibility to address public concerns. “People are seeing that the government is not working,” she stated, underscoring the need for the Conservative Party to respond effectively to the electorate’s issues.

Despite facing internal criticism, Badenoch remains determined to reshape the Conservative Party in her vision. “A party takes the shape of the leader,” she asserted. “I’m the leader now, and the party is taking my shape. I’m not Boris Johnson, I’m not Rishi Sunak, not Liz Truss, not David Cameron, not Mrs. [Margaret] Thatcher or John Major. I’m Kemi Badenoch.” As she prepares for the conference, she aims to showcase what her leadership will mean for the future of the party.