I'm a classic old school Conservative, says Kemi Badenoch
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has positioned herself as a 'classic old school Conservative' while outlining a new policy direction for her party. She emphasizes common sense, tax cuts, and reduced state intervention as the path to recovery following the party's 2024 election defeat.
Why it matters
It signals a potential ideological pivot for the UK Conservative Party as it attempts to differentiate itself from Labour and Reform UK.
By Brian Wheeler Political reporter Published 4 October 2026 Kemi Badenoch has declared herself a "classic old school Conservative" as she begins her party's annual conference with a string of policy pledges and a 100 page statement on her guiding principles. , external
"I believe in common sense, people working hard and being rewarded for that effort," she told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg.
She added that welfare should be a "safety net, not a lifestyle".
The Tory leader is trying to ensure her party stands out in a crowded political field. The Conservatives are trailing Labour and Reform UK in the opinion polls and have yet to recover from their historic defeat at the 2024 general election.
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