Politics Weekly UK Tax cuts, jokes and pig-wrestling: Badenoch’s attempt to save her job
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Oct 8, 2025 
Luke Tryl, Director at More in Common and polling expert, discusses the shifting sands of British public opinion amid recent Conservative party conferences. He explores the lack of public awareness surrounding Kemi Badenoch and assesses her economic proposals, including the proposed elimination of stamp duty. Tryl argues that the Conservatives face an existential crisis with Reform UK pulling voters away. He also analyzes how political conferences impact voter perception and whether they serve more to reinforce existing narratives than to sway public opinion.
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Speech Bought Short-Term Calm
- Kemi Badenoch's conference speech bought her a temporary reprieve by delivering policy and humour that calmed her party.
- The speech reassured MPs and members even if it may not change long-term electoral threats from Reform UK.
Omission Of Reform UK In Speech
- Badenoch barely mentioned Reform UK, focusing attacks on Labour instead and aiming to present the Conservatives as the main challenger to Labour.
- That omission left a glaring gap given Reform's existential threat to the Tory vote.
Stamp Duty Abolition Pitch
- Badenoch announced abolition of stamp duty on primary residences, a broad tax cut aimed at helping younger homebuyers.
- The Conservatives estimate the policy costs about £9bn by 2029 and pair it with welfare cuts to fund it.