Kemi Badenoch, the shadow housing and communities secretary, has officially entered the Conservative leadership race with a bold pledge to get the Tories back into government by 2030. Badenoch, who is the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Rishi Sunak, stated her focus will be on renewing the Conservative brand to serve the British people effectively.
In an op-ed for the Times, Badenoch emphasized the importance of governmental service to its citizens and the need to control immigration by reaffirming belief in the nation-state. She writes, “If I have the privilege to serve, we will speak the truth again. That is why today my campaign is launching with an explicit focus on renewing our party for 2030 – the first full year we can be back in government and the first year of a new decade.”
A Rigorous Process Needed
Shadow paymaster general John Glen highlighted the necessity for the Conservatives to undergo a rigorous process, which involves demonstrating humility and presenting a clear plan to regain the trust of the British people.
The Race to Succeed Sunak
Badenoch has become the sixth Tory to enter the contest, joining Dame Priti Patel, Mel Stride, Tom Tugendhat, James Cleverly, and Robert Jenrick. In her campaign, Badenoch emphasized the need for the government to do fewer things but do them well, and she advocated for a renewal of capitalism to drive economic success.
Grassroots Support and Braverman’s Exit
Grassroots Conservative supporters have shown discontent with MPs for not putting their favoured choice, Suella Braverman, on the ballot. Members of the Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO) have expressed frustration, warning that senior MPs could quickly fall out of favour with the core supporters. A survey of 3,412 CDO members revealed Braverman as the favourite, followed by Badenoch.
Claire Bullivant, founder of the Conservative Post, cautioned that excluding Braverman from the ballot could widen the rift between party members and MPs, potentially leading to more members defecting to Reform UK.
Braverman’s Decision
On Sunday evening, Braverman announced she would not be running, despite receiving the necessary backing. In an article for the Telegraph, she cited the lack of agreement among MPs with her diagnosis and prescription for the party’s issues as her reason for not running. She blamed the party’s recent electoral failures on issues such as migration, taxes, and transgender ideology.
According to polling by Savanta between 19 and 21 July, Patel is the least popular contender in the race, with a net rating of minus 28 points among the public and seven points among 2024 Conservative voters.
Conclusion
With Braverman out of the race, the contest to replace Sunak intensifies, as candidates like Badenoch seek to renew the Conservative Party and guide it back to government by the next decade. The focus now shifts to how each candidate plans to address the key issues and win back the trust of both the party and the British electorate.