Understand
Kemi Badenoch aims to return the Conservative Party to its roots at the 2026 conference
Overview
As the 2026 Conservative Party conference gets underway in Birmingham, leader Kemi Badenoch enters the event with a secure position, improved public standing, and a clearer identity. She plans to use the conference to showcase classic conservative principles, focusing on lower public spending, reduced debt, a dramatic expansion of prison places, and a stricter approach to welfare. While Badenoch benefits from clearer political contrasts with Labour figures like Andy Burnham, the party still faces challenges regarding public trust, the lingering brand damage from past years in government, and ongoing competition for right-wing voters from Reform UK.
Key points
- Kemi Badenoch heads into the 2026 Conservative conference in Birmingham with a secure internal position and improved public recognition.
- The party is highlighting traditional conservative principles, focusing on lower public spending, controlled debt, and letting people keep more of their money.
- Policy announcements include a dramatic expansion of prison places and a tougher approach to welfare claimants.
- Badenoch is disavwing parts of the 2010 to 2024 Conservative record when the tax burden and civil service grew.
- The emergence of Andy Burnham as a political opponent provides a sharper contrast between Labour and the Conservatives.
- The party still faces significant challenges regarding public trust in its brand and competition for right-wing voters from Reform UK.