Kemi Badenoch Aims to Reassert Conservative Core Values at Conference

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is set to use the party's upcoming conference to re-establish core conservative principles, aiming to differentiate her party from its recent past and present a clear identity to the electorate. The conference will be held at Birmingham's Symphony Hall, a venue large enough to accommodate increased party attendance, signaling a potential resurgence in party engagement.

Badenoch has reportedly solidified her position within the party, with allies noting her improved public standing and clear communication style. "People now know who she is and they enjoy her interventions - the thing we hear most is I don't always agree with her but I know where she stands," one supporter commented. This clarity is seen as crucial for a party grappling with its public image, shadowed by years of political instability.

Reclaiming Conservative Identity

The party's pre-conference messaging has focused on traditional conservative themes. Recent policy announcements include a significant expansion of prison places, echoing the 1990s slogan "Prison works," and a "tough love" approach to welfare claimants. These moves signal an intention to emphasize fiscal responsibility and a reduced role for government intervention, while concentrating on the size of the welfare bill for both financial and moral reasons.

Badenoch is expected to articulate fundamental conservative beliefs, such as individuals retaining more of their earnings and government support being reserved for essential cases. This stance implicitly distances the party from policies enacted between 2010 and 2024, which saw increases in civil service size and the tax burden. Badenoch has stated the party is "finally saying what we believe" and should be more assertive in promoting its core values.

Contrasting with Rivals

The upcoming conference also presents an opportunity for Badenoch to draw sharper contrasts with political rivals, particularly Labour leader Andy Burnham. Allies suggest Burnham's recent emphasis on past eras provides a clear point of difference, allowing Badenoch to frame her conservatism against what they describe as Burnham's perceived nostalgic narrative.

However, the party faces the challenge of regaining the trust of voters, some of whom have shifted their support to parties like Reform UK. Badenoch has expressed skepticism towards Reform UK, viewing it as a protest party. While her allies hope for a decline in Reform's appeal, the persistent challenge of millions of voters being attracted to similar platforms complicates the Conservatives' path to electoral success.

One shadow minister acknowledged, "we've still got a whole battle on the right" despite "Kemi's boldness" beginning to resonate. There are internal concerns that Badenoch's return to core principles could alienate centrist voters, with a former cabinet minister warning against slipping into a "divisive manner" reminiscent of the "nasty party" era. The challenge for Badenoch will be to balance her assertive message with the need to appeal to a broader range of constituencies.

Despite these potential pitfalls, Badenoch appears to be embracing the opportunity to define her party's platform. Her confidence is evident as she prepares to address a larger audience, aiming to reassert what she believes are the fundamental tenets of conservatism.