I'm a classic old school Conservative, says Kemi Badenoch
BBC News 2026-10-04 13:24:14
Context: Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, has outlined her vision for the party, declaring herself a "classic old school Conservative" who believes in common sense and hard work. She made these statements as the party's annual conference begins in Birmingham, where she also unveiled a 100-page statement on her guiding principles and a series of policy pledges. Badenoch's comments come as the Conservatives trail behind Labour and Reform UK in the opinion polls.
Key Facts
- Kemi Badenoch described herself as a "classic old school Conservative" who believes in "common sense, people working hard and being rewarded for that effort".
- The Conservative Party plans to end a childcare "cliff edge" that currently means parents earning more than £100,000 do not qualify for the entitlement.
- The party aims to deliver 50,000 new prison places by slashing the overseas aid budget to £1bn a year and ending the early release of offenders.
- Over the 14 years the Conservatives were in power, around 500 net prison places were created, with 14,142 added and 13,660 lost mainly to dilapidation and closures.