In a bold attempt to regain public trust, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch will pledge to deliver unvarnished truths to the British public, even when they are hard to hear. In her first major speech of 2025, Mrs Badenoch is set to emphasise the party’s commitment to honesty while launching a scathing critique of Labour’s policy decisions, which she described as “mad and bad ideas.”
Speaking at a party conference on Thursday, Mrs Badenoch will highlight Labour’s plans to “snatch winter fuel” and impose taxes on family farms, ideas that she claims were repeatedly rejected by the Conservatives when in government. “For the next four years and beyond, we are going to be telling the British people the truth—about the mistakes we made, the problems we face, and the actions we must take to get ourselves out of this mess,” she will say.
The speech comes amid heightened scrutiny of Mrs Badenoch’s leadership style. Just days earlier, she faced backlash for comments on the grooming gangs scandal, where she blamed individuals from “peasant” and “sub-community” backgrounds in foreign countries. Her spokesperson defended the remarks, insisting that addressing the truth, however uncomfortable, was vital for national discourse. “Quibbling over language is what got us into this mess in the first place,” her spokesperson argued. “We need to end the culture of fear over being politically incorrect.”
Mrs Badenoch’s speech will also target Labour’s perceived lack of preparation for government. She will accuse Labour of announcing policies without robust plans to implement them, citing Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ proposals on winter fuel and family farm taxation. “When you haven’t worked out what you’re going to do in opposition, you will accept whatever you’re given in government,” Badenoch is expected to say.
In a direct comparison to Labour leader Keir Starmer, she will argue that leadership requires acknowledging past mistakes. “Labour is making a lot of mistakes. But the difference between me and Keir Starmer is that he doesn’t believe he’s ever made a mistake. I will acknowledge the Conservative Party made mistakes,” she will state.
Mrs Badenoch has previously indicated that her initial focus as Conservative leader is not on announcing a sweeping policy platform but on rebuilding trust with voters. Her message is a clear attempt to distinguish herself from her predecessors and to offer a vision of transparency and accountability.
However, Labour has been quick to dismiss her efforts. Labour chairwoman Ellie Reeves accused Mrs Badenoch of “doing the exact opposite” of what is needed to rebuild public trust. “The public rightly lost trust in the Conservatives after 14 long years of failure in government,” she said.
Ms Reeves criticised Badenoch for offering “another speech, but no apology for her role in Liz Truss’ disastrous mini-Budget that crashed the economy and left a £22 billion black hole in the public finances.” She added: “The Conservatives under Kemi Badenoch have nothing to offer in opposition apart from recklessly continuing to make unfunded spending commitments and overseeing yet more Conservative chaos and infighting.”
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Labour continues to position itself as the party of change, with Reeves touting their economic and social policies. “This Labour Government is getting on with delivering our plan for change—to grow our economy, put more money in people’s pockets, build an NHS fit for the future, make streets safer, deliver clean energy, and increase opportunity for all,” she said.
As Mrs Badenoch prepares to outline her vision, the Conservatives remain under pressure to reverse the damage done by past leadership missteps, including the fallout from Liz Truss’ premiership. Whether the new leader’s approach of brutal honesty and sharp rhetoric will resonate with a sceptical electorate remains to be seen.
For now, the focus is on whether Badenoch’s promise to tell difficult truths can galvanise a party struggling to shake off the shadows of its recent past and rebuild trust with a wary public.
