Kemi Badenoch, the first Black leader of a major British political party, has consolidated control of the Conservative Party since taking the helm in 2024 following a general election defeat. However, the Conservatives remain less popular than during their catastrophic loss, trailing both the governing Labour Party and the right-wing populist Reform UK party. At the party's annual conference in Birmingham, England, Badenoch is expected to deliver a keynote address focusing on a "battle for the soul of this nation." Her speech will likely argue that "spending money we don't have on things we can't afford is not kind, it is reckless." Badenoch has ruled out forming a pact with Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, instead pursuing policies designed to tempt Reform voters on migration, welfare, and climate change. The party unveiled a mock "Birmingham Tapestry" satirizing opponents, including a portrayal of Farage as a wailing infant. Badenoch also promoted her 30,000-word political principles document, dubbed "Kemistry." Despite the upbeat conference mood, analysts warn the right-wing split could benefit Labour in the next election, which must be called by 2029.
Farage faces scrutiny over his finances, though Reform UK support hovers at around 22 percent, roughly five points above the Conservatives. Professor Tim Bale suggests neither side has conceded defeat in the struggle for the right. Some activists urge the Conservatives to engage with online debates from Reform and Break Away parties to redirect momentum positively.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing