Conservative Party Nearly Ran Out of Money, Says Badenoch

Conservative Party on the Brink: Kemi Badenoch’s Leadership Struggles

Kemi Badenoch, who took over as leader of the Conservative Party just three days ago, spoke candidly about the financial struggles her party faced. According to Badenoch, the Conservative Party nearly ran out of money when she assumed leadership following their worst-ever election defeat.

Financial Crisis and Leadership Challenges

Badenoch revealed that she inherited a party facing significant internal issues after losing 250 seats in last year’s general election—marking the worst result in Conservative history. This setback not only raised concerns about the party’s future but also threatened its financial stability.

The situation was so dire that Badenoch admitted donors were considering pulling their funding, which could have led to a potentially catastrophic outcome for the party. However, she managed to secure donor support and focused on laying the groundwork for policy announcements during her first few months as leader.

Policy Announcements and Public Scrutiny

Badenoch’s efforts culminated in a series of policy announcements during the Conservative Party conference speech in October. She outlined plans to end stamp duty and withdraw from the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR). These policies were seen as bold steps that could significantly reshape the party’s agenda.

PMQs and Political Theatre

In an interview, Badenoch discussed her experience with Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), which she described as a form of political theatre rather than a serious cross-examination. She noted that preparing for PMQs was akin to performing in a pantomime, where the format and expectations are different from a traditional questioning session.

Badenoch shared that she initially spent considerable time preparing arguments and statistics but found that her points were often dismissed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. She described this as “rubbish” and noted the need to adapt her approach, focusing on delivering clear messages rather than overcomplicating her points.

Challenges Ahead for Badenoch

Badenoch faces increasing pressure from backbench MPs who can now launch a vote of no confidence in her leadership. She acknowledged that she had advised colleagues to rely on their instincts and use social media to rally support, but warned against going off in different directions.

Looking ahead, Badenoch emphasized the need for greater focus among party members on economic policies, particularly in light of competition from Reform UK. She dismissed concerns about Nigel Farage’s potential impact, arguing that her leadership has already forced major policy shifts and that Reform UK is an “existential threat” to all parties.

With these challenges and opportunities ahead, Badenoch remains committed to shaping the Conservative Party’s future direction. As she continues to navigate the complexities of party leadership, the coming months will be crucial in determining the success of her tenure.