Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, made waves with her first major speech of 2025, delivered Thursday to the Onward think tank in central London. The address marked her entry as the party leader, where she tackled the missteps of the Tories, especially around Brexit, and positioned herself as the necessary change agents to restore trust with the public.
During her speech, Badenoch did not shy away from acknowledging the failures of her predecessors, stating categorically, “These mistakes were made because we told people what they wanted to hear first and then tried to work it out later.” She criticized the approach of announcing policies like net-zero carbon targets and immigration cuts without adequate planning, especially pointing to Brexit as one of the most significant blunders. “We announced we would leave the European Union before we had a plan for growth outside the EU,” she said, capturing the audience's attention.
Badenoch’s remarks come at a turbulent time for the Conservative Party, which has seen declining poll numbers and increasing support for Reform UK. “I have been leading the Conservative Party for 10 weeks. Let’s see where we are in a few months and years,” she urged, defending her leadership against comparisons with the long-established presence of Nigel Farage’s party.
Critically, the Tory leader stressed the economic hardship the country faces, saying, “We are all getting poorer,” and warning against the complacency of believing Britain will always be prosperous. Her call for tough conversations about Britain's economic future and challenges, including high immigration levels, resonates with many who feel left behind after years of political turmoil.
Badenoch’s vow to focus on policy delivery was evident as she acknowledged the need for honesty. “From now on we are going to tell the British people the truth even when it is difficult to hear,” she said, reinforcing her commitment to transparent governance.
Responding to speculations about merging with Reform UK, she firmly stated, “Nigel Farage says he wants to destroy the Conservative Party. Why on earth would we merge with him?” This comment indicates her resolve to keep the Conservative Party distinct from other right-leaning factions and not replicate past mistakes.
Her tone during the speech was described by some as “depressing.” When asked about this perception, Badenoch clarified, “I'm speaking based on where the Conservative Party is. We have just suffered our greatest ever defeat.” This reflection on her leadership and the party’s challenges may appeal to voters searching for authenticity and accountability.
The reaction to her speech was mixed. Labour chairwoman Ellie Reeves dismissed Badenoch’s calls for rebuilding trust, stating, “The public rightly lost trust in the Conservatives after 14 long years of failure in government.” Critics pointed out the absence of concrete policy proposals and questioned whether her speech would result in any real change.
While Badenoch avoided detailed policy declarations, she highlighted key areas for future focus: lower taxes, stronger defense, and lower immigration. She suggested the party would take its time to develop thorough plans, noting, “We want lower taxes, stronger defence, lower immigration. The plans are going to take time.” This admission of patience is likely aimed at tempering expectations among her party’s supporters.
Badenoch’s previous roles, including Minister of International Trade, gave her experiences discussing post-Brexit trade arrangements, where she asserted her influence. She claimed responsibility for scrapping approximately 4,000 EU laws as part of creating new regulatory frameworks, yet she also acknowledged the backlog of unfinished tasks. “I left office with unfinished work,” she conceded, promising to build on past efforts.
On immigration, Badenoch asserted, “No ifs, no buts, we simply cannot take all the millions of people who want to come here from elsewhere.” Her remarks suggest she aims to forge stronger connections with voters who feel immigration has not been adequately managed.
Badenoch’s skillful navigation through policy voids and public discontent is meant to differentiate her leadership from predecessors, yet her acceptance of past Tory mistakes raises questions. With her firm pledge to tell the truth even when uncomfortable and to prioritize new plans and policies, she believes she can steer the party away from its current plight.
Looking forward, it’s clear Badenoch intends to reshape the Conservative narrative, one based on honesty and responsibility. How well she can execute this vision remains to be seen, but her initial speech indicates she’s ready to challenge both her party and the Labour opposition decisively.