What's happened
Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, is under scrutiny as her party struggles in the polls, recently falling to fourth in a Scottish by-election. Amidst internal tensions and a push for a stronger public presence, Badenoch emphasizes her learning curve while hinting at potential policy shifts regarding the European Convention on Human Rights.
What's behind the headline?
Internal Party Dynamics
- Badenoch's leadership is marked by competition within the Conservative Party, particularly with Robert Jenrick, who has been gaining visibility through controversial public actions.
- Tensions are rising as party insiders express frustration over Jenrick's interventions, which some view as undermining Badenoch's authority.
Public Perception and Polling
- Recent polls indicate a significant drop in support for the Conservatives, with many former Tory voters shifting allegiance to Reform UK. This shift highlights a growing disconnect between the party and its traditional base.
- Badenoch's strategy to enhance her public image, including the 'Let Kemi be Kemi' approach, aims to capitalize on her perceived authenticity, yet it remains to be seen if this will resonate with voters.
Policy Implications
- Badenoch's potential shift away from the European Convention on Human Rights could be a pivotal moment for the party, aligning with calls from party members like Jenrick. This move may appeal to a segment of the electorate but risks alienating others who value human rights protections.
- The upcoming party conference in October will be crucial for Badenoch to solidify her leadership and outline her vision for the party's future.
What the papers say
According to Kate Devlin in The Independent, Badenoch's leadership is under scrutiny as she acknowledges her learning curve while facing internal party tensions. Devlin notes that Jenrick's public stunts have overshadowed Badenoch's efforts, leading to frustrations among her team. Meanwhile, John Crace from The Guardian critiques Badenoch's performance in PMQs, suggesting she has become an irrelevance to both Labour and her own party, highlighting the challenges she faces in gaining traction. The Independent also reports on Badenoch's shift towards a more hardline stance on the European Convention on Human Rights, a move that could redefine her leadership and the party's direction.
How we got here
Kemi Badenoch became the Conservative leader following a significant election victory. However, her leadership has faced challenges, including poor polling and internal party dynamics, particularly with rival Robert Jenrick gaining attention through public stunts.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of Badenoch's policy shifts?
- How is Robert Jenrick impacting Badenoch's leadership?
- What do recent polls indicate about voter sentiment?
Common question
-
What Did the EU Court Say About Hungary's LGBTQ+ Law?
The European Court of Justice recently issued a significant opinion regarding Hungary's controversial LGBTQ+ law, raising questions about its implications for LGBTQ+ rights across Europe. This ruling has sparked discussions about the intersection of national legislation and EU human rights standards, as well as the broader impact on LGBTQ+ communities. Here are some key questions and answers to help you understand the situation better.
More on these topics
-
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland.
-
Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke Badenoch (née Adegoke; born 2 January 1980) is a British politician who has served as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Conservative Party since November 2024. Badenoch previously worked in the Cabinet for prime minister
-
Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
-
Reform UK is a populist political party in the United Kingdom. It was founded as The Brexit Party with a focus on Euroscepticism in November 2018, until being renamed on 6 January 2021.
-
Nigel Paul Farage is a British politician. He has been leader of the Brexit Party since 2019, and served as Member of the European Parliament for South East England from 1999 until the United Kingdom's exit from the EU in 2020.
-
Melvyn John Stride is a British politician who served as Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council from 23 May to 24 July 2019. A member of the Conservative Party, he has been the Member of Parliament for Central Devon since 2010.
-
Robert Edward Jenrick is a British Conservative Party politician serving as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government since 2019. He has served as Member of Parliament for Newark since 2014.
-
The Labour Party is a centre-left political party in the United Kingdom that has been described as an alliance of social democrats, democratic socialists and trade unionists.
-
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
-
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.