Politics · United Kingdom · 2 days ago
Kemi Badenoch sets out Conservative plans as party trails Reform UK in polls
Kemi Badenoch leads the UK’s Conservative Party, which is still behind Reform UK in the polls.
At the party’s conference this week, she promised to scrap inheritance tax on family homes and proposed a missile defence system called the “Britannia Shield.”
She also ruled out an agreement with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
Badenoch was born in Wimbledon and grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, before moving to London at 16.
She became a Conservative MP in 2017 and won the party leadership after its 2024 general election defeat.
Her personal popularity has increased, but it is unclear whether that will help the Conservatives regain support and return to power.
Kemi Badenoch further cemented her position as Conservative Party leader at the party’s conference.
The Conservatives are still lagging behind Reform UK in the polls.
Badenoch’s personal popularity has increased, but the article asks whether it can help her party.
At the conference, she promised to scrap inheritance tax on family homes, proposed a missile defence system and ruled out a pact with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
- Who
- Kemi Badenoch and the Conservative Party.
- What
- Badenoch strengthened her position as leader, while the Conservatives continued to trail Reform UK in the polls.
- When
- At the Conservative Party conference in the week of 10 October 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
Badenoch joined the Conservative Party at age 25.
She became a member of the London Assembly and digital director at The Spectator.
She was elected Conservative MP for Saffron Waldon in Essex.
Badenoch stood for the Conservative Party leadership after Boris Johnson stepped down as prime minister and came fourth.
She won the leadership contest after the Labour landslide general election result.
Badenoch further cemented her position as party leader at the Conservative conference.
- Leader
- Kemi Badenoch
- Party
- Conservative Party
- Poll position
- Conservatives were still lagging behind Reform UK
- Proposed defence system
- Britannia Shield
- Leadership contest
- Badenoch won in 2024
- Inheritance tax pledge
- Scrap the tax on family homes











