Kemi Badenoch is a fresh figure in conservatism but relatively inexperienced as well. She, like a few of the other leadership candidates, face a problem of lack of gravity. The likes of Lord Cameron and more recently Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak loom larger.
Her efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, however, largely because she tries so hard. She has a campaign of her own – Renewal 2030 – that pledges to restore the party. It’s underpinned by a belief Starmer takes off Blair too much and Reform UK threaten to undermine the party also.
Indeed, in an article written three days before the election she said Labour winning would “surrender” Number 10 to the enemy. These are strong terms, but Badenoch knows her territory. She even defended Nigel Farage when Natwest debanked him, so she’s cut her teeth too.
