Laura Kuenssberg: Kemi Badenoch has cemented her image. Now she wants to take her party back to its roots
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch is preparing for the 2026 party conference in Birmingham as she seeks to solidify her leadership and define the party's future identity. While her public standing has improved, the party continues to grapple with trust issues and the legacy of past political instability.
Why it matters
The Conservative Party is attempting to rebuild its brand and political relevance following a period of significant electoral defeat and internal chaos.
Kemi Badenoch has cemented her image. Now she wants to put her party back on the big stage
Image source, Getty By Laura Kuenssberg Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg The 2026 Conservative conference is big enough to justify using Birmingham's Symphony Hall as its main stage again.
So, Kemi Badenoch will tread the same stage ageing rockers Marillion took last month - and where sequinned soprano Katherine Jenkins will perform next week. She'll also avoid the humiliation of a national party leader being squashed into a side room at a corporate conference centre (with drapes portioning off the empty space). Simply, the party is able to put bums on seats again - and by that measure, things are looking up.
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