Political Fix Has Kemi Badenoch silenced the critics?
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Oct 10, 2025 Joined by Robert Shrimsley, Chief political commentator at the Financial Times, David Sheppard, Whitehall editor, and Miranda Green, Deputy opinion editor, the panel dives into Kemi Badenoch's recent conference speech and its potential impact on party dynamics. They discuss whether her pledge to scrap stamp duty reflects strength or desperation and analyze the implications for competition with Labour and Reform UK. The conversation also touches on a collapsed spying case involving China, raising questions about governmental transparency and strategy.
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Thatcher Myth Vs Practicality
- The conference repeatedly invoked Margaret Thatcher as a touchstone of seriousness.
- Robert Shrimsley warned Thatcher's legacy is often invoked without matching her pragmatism and policy work.
Theatrical Populism Lacks Policy
- Robert Jenrick courts attention with populist theatre but lacks constructive policy detail on integration and judiciary reform.
- Critics warn his stunts risk undermining the rule of law and investor confidence.
Integration Needs Ideas, Not Racial Jibes
- Jenrick's remark about visiting Handsworth was criticised as skin-colour centric and unhelpful to integration debates.
- Panelists argued political questions on integration need constructive solutions, not racialised commentary.