Badenoch Positions Tories as "Common Sense Party" with 100-Page Manifesto

Kemi Badenoch has opened the Conservative Party's annual conference in Birmingham by presenting herself as a "classic old school Conservative," unveiling a comprehensive 100-page statement of principles alongside a series of significant policy commitments. In an interview with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, the Conservative leader emphasised her core values, stating she believes in "common sense, people working hard and being rewarded for that effort." She further articulated her vision for the welfare system, arguing it should function as "a safety net, not a lifestyle," a phrase that signals a potential hardening of the party's stance on social security.

The conference arrives at a critical juncture for the Conservatives, who are currently trailing both the governing Labour Party and the insurgent Reform UK in national opinion polls. The party is still grappling with the aftermath of its historic defeat in the 2024 general election, a loss that stripped it of power after 14 years in government. Badenoch, whose personal approval ratings outstrip those of her party, is attempting to carve out a distinct identity in an increasingly fragmented political landscape. Her strategy includes sharp characterisations of her rivals; she has previously labelled Reform UK's Nigel Farage a "grumpy grandpa" and now describes Labour leader Andy Burnham as "the cheesy uncle who does all the dad jokes." Badenoch positions herself in contrast as a "no-nonsense mum."

Central to her conference offering is an essay titled "The Right Way," a title that deliberately echoes Margaret Thatcher's 1976 tract "The Right Approach." In this document, Badenoch offers a candid critique of her own party's recent record in government. She argues that the last Conservative administration failed because it lacked a clear sense of purpose, doing "little to reverse the structural changes Labour had made which took the country in the wrong direction." The essay contends that, despite the party's rhetoric while in power, "the state grew by stealth," a claim designed to appeal to the party's base who feel the previous government did not deliver on its small-state promises.

The essay sets out a guiding principle for the next Conservative government: "business, not government, creates growth." To achieve this, the party would pursue growth through tax cuts, a reduction in regulatory red tape, and a plan to shrink the civil service back to pre-pandemic levels. The document also introduces a tough new political tone, suggesting that what is "really missing from politics and government today is people prepared to say no." It argues that political parties must recruit individuals with the fortitude to reject even worthy causes when resources are insufficient, a message that foreshadows difficult spending decisions.

Badenoch's policy announcements at the conference are designed to give concrete shape to these principles. The Conservatives have pledged to eliminate the childcare "cliff edge," a system whereby parents earning just over £100,000 annually lose their entitlement to government childcare support. This measure is likely aimed at addressing a perceived disincentive to work for middle-income families. Additionally, the party has promised to create 50,000 new prison places by reducing the overseas aid budget to £1 billion per year. This commitment is framed as a necessary step to end the early release of offenders, a policy that has proven controversial. The scale of this pledge is notable, as around 500 net prison places were created over the entire 14 years of the previous Conservative government, a figure that accounted for new cells set against losses from ageing facilities and closures.

During her speech in the main conference hall, Badenoch sought to project an image of a party that has learned from its defeat and is ready for robust internal debate. "We're going to be having debates, we're going to have arguments, they are going to be fun," she told members, adding that while they would "challenge each other," they would remain "a united party" afterwards. This emphasis on unity is a clear attempt to draw a line under the factional infighting that plagued the Conservatives in recent years, presenting the conference as a forum for constructive discussion rather than division.

In a question-and-answer session, Badenoch addressed broader cultural themes, including citizenship and community cohesion. She argued that the UK is "not a dormitory, it is not a hotel," stressing that "British culture means something." To applause, she stated, "I don't want lots of little ghettos of separatist communities where they are recreating the place they come from - that will ruin the United Kingdom." These remarks indicate a willingness to engage in a direct conversation about integration and national identity, a territory the party may see as fertile ground for winning back voters who have drifted to Reform UK.

The Labour Party has responded dismissively to Badenoch's conference launch. Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson accused the Conservatives of being "stuck in the past and remains completely out of touch with what people across Britain want to see." She contrasted Badenoch's message with that of Andy Burnham, stating that Burnham had set out a plan "to bring back hope to Britain," while the Tory leader "wants to drag our country back to a politics that let so many people down over the past 40 years." This exchange highlights the battle lines being drawn, with Labour framing the Conservative agenda as a return to a discredited past.

The atmosphere at the conference includes lighter moments alongside the serious policy discussions. A satirical 88-foot artwork, dubbed the "Birmingham Tapestry" and styled after the Bayeux Tapestry, is a popular attraction. It offers a humorous take on the last two years of Labour rule, reflecting the party's desire to rally its members with a mixture of self-deprecation and pointed opposition attacks. This blend of serious policy and light-hearted engagement is typical of party conferences, which serve both as a platform for national messaging and a morale-boosting event for activists.

Ultimately, Badenoch's conference represents a significant moment in her leadership and a test of her ability to define the Conservative Party for a new era. By invoking Thatcher, criticising the record of her own predecessors, and offering a mix of tax-cutting, law-and-order, and cultural pledges, she is attempting to rebuild the party's coalition. The challenge will be to satisfy a membership that remains largely supportive of her direction while simultaneously appealing to a broader electorate that has recently rejected the Conservative brand. Whether her "common sense" approach and her 100-page philosophy can reverse the party's fortunes remains the defining question for the Conservatives as they gather in Birmingham.