Battle of ideas looming in British politics, Badenoch to say
The Tory leader has been seeking to reframe the way the public views her party, which has yet to recover in the polls since the last election.
By BBC News
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is set to tell her party that British politics is heading for a “battle of ideas” when she addresses the final day of the Conservative Party conference.
In her speech, she is expected to argue that the next general election will be a fight over the direction of the country and what kind of society voters want.
Ms Badenoch will criticise Labour’s approach to the economy, saying the party believes prosperity is created through government intervention. She is expected to accuse Labour of thinking that “government knows best”.
She will also argue that Labour treats people’s earnings, pensions and savings as resources for the state to tax and redistribute.
According to the BBC report, Ms Badenoch will warn that Labour’s policies could lead to higher taxes and leave the country caught in a “doom loop”.
The speech is part of her attempt to redefine how voters view the Conservative Party following its defeat at the 2024 general election. The Conservatives have not yet recovered in the polls, with the party continuing to trail Labour and face competition from Reform UK.
Ms Badenoch is expected to present the Conservatives as the party defending the principle that people should keep more of what they earn.
The address is due to take place at the Conservative Party’s annual conference in Birmingham on Wednesday.