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The New Statesman | UK politics and culture

Could “abrasive” Kemi Badenoch ever be Prime Minister?

Nov 1, 2024
Former Tory MP David Gauke shares his insights on Kemi Badenoch's leadership potential and the current Conservative leadership race. He reflects on Labour's budget decisions, comparing them to past Liberal Democrat experiences, and discusses the complexities of the Tory party dynamics. The conversation highlights Rishi Sunak's confrontational style in Parliament and explores the implications of major economic choices, including tensions over inheritance tax. Gauke gives a candid look at political complexities that shape the future of the Conservatives.
27:15

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Labour's economic policy demonstrates a shift towards increased public spending, signaling a significant departure from past austerity measures.
  • The Conservative leadership race reveals ideological divides within the party, particularly contrasting Kemi Badenoch's focus on culture wars with Robert Jenrick's moderate approach.

Deep dives

Labour's Economic Challenges

The Labour government's current approach to economic policy is drawing comparisons to the Liberal Democrats’ coalition experiences in 2011, highlighting the tough choices that governments face regarding borrowing and spending. Acknowledging the limitations of fiscal policy, Labour's response to financial pressures demonstrates a recognition of the need for credibility in economic planning, particularly after recent market turbulence. Critics point out that despite proposed tax increases, Labour's strategy suggests a higher borrowing plan than originally inherited, which raises questions about long-term sustainability. This presents a challenge for the Labour party as they strive to manage public expectations while navigating difficult economic realities.

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