Kemi Badenoch has cemented her image. Now she wants to put her party back on the big stage
The Conservative leader is expected to set out a return to core conservative principles at the party’s annual conference.
By BBC News
Kemi Badenoch is using the Conservative party conference in Birmingham to set out a return to what she sees as core Conservative principles, including lower taxes, smaller government and tighter control of public spending.
The BBC reports that Badenoch will speak on the same stage at Symphony Hall where the party is gathering for its annual conference. The report says she is expected to use the event to argue that the Conservatives need to get back to the beliefs on which the party was founded, after recent years in which those ideas have, in her view, been neglected.
In interviews this week, Badenoch said the party was “finally articulating our beliefs” and should take a more assertive stance in promoting them. The BBC said she plans to spend the coming days setting out what she regards as classic Tory principles and a “classic display of Tory principles”.
The conference is taking place in Birmingham and is expected to feature Badenoch’s first major chance to frame the party’s message since taking over as leader. The BBC report also says the party is using the event to present itself as election-ready after years of difficulty and a heavy defeat.
A central theme of the conference is expected to be the economy, with Badenoch arguing that people should keep more of what they earn and that the state should spend less. The BBC said the conference slogan is “Stronger economy, stronger country”.
Badenoch is also due to make two speeches during the conference, one on Sunday and another on Wednesday, with the first set-piece appearances designed to expand on recent policy announcements.
The party’s gathering in Birmingham continues over the week, with Badenoch expected to use it to sharpen her message and present the Conservatives as a party with renewed direction.