The Conservative Party is set to begin formulating new policies this week as leader Kemi Badenoch seeks to rebuild the party following its electoral defeat last year.
A Conservative source has said that “nothing is off the table” in the process, which begins on Tuesday. The initiative will see Badenoch task her shadow cabinet with developing proposals that could form the party’s next election manifesto.
“Kemi is not afraid to make sweeping changes where necessary,” the source stated.
“The launch of this policy process will ensure the Conservatives are ready with a plan that will get government working for the British people once more.
This will be in stark contrast to Keir Starmer and Labour, who have shown they had no plan and are making everything worse.”
A new direction for the conservatives?
The Tories’ policy renewal process mirrors a similar strategy used by David Cameron while in opposition, as he attempted to modernise the party’s image. However, not all proposals from that period made it into the final policy platform.
This time, shadow cabinet members will lead discussions on policy areas within their remits, consulting party members, supporters, think tanks, and industry experts. The approach marks the first major step in shaping a clear policy agenda under Badenoch’s leadership.
Since taking over as leader last year, Badenoch has been reluctant to outline specific policies, instead focusing on Conservative principles and rebuilding trust. However, she has made a number of key commitments, including:
- Reversing Labour’s decision to charge VAT on private school fees
- Restoring the inheritance tax exemption for family-owned farms
- Increasing defence spending to 3%
- Disapplying the Human Rights Act from asylum claims
Despite these pledges, Badenoch has stopped short of calling for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) – a stance advocated by several senior Conservatives, including her former leadership rival and Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick.
With Jenrick now in charge of shaping justice policy, the prospect of leaving the ECHR could return to the table as part of the policy review.
Labour criticises tory policy review
Labour has dismissed the Conservatives’ policy renewal process, questioning its credibility and demanding to know how any new policies would be funded.
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A Labour spokesperson said:
“The Conservatives’ policy review will have zero credibility unless it explains how the Tories plan to pay for the policies starting to turn this country around. If they can’t, then what cuts can we expect to pensions, schools, border security, and the NHS?”
The spokesperson accused the Tories of “constant carping” and suggested that Badenoch’s party had failed to learn from its mistakes.
“Until Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives stop the constant carping and are prepared to take the tough decisions necessary to turn this country around, then it’s obvious that they haven’t listened and they haven’t learned.
This Government is tackling the £22 billion black hole the Tories left behind after 14 years, whilst delivering shorter NHS waiting lists, rights for workers, and tackling illegal migration through our Plan for Change.”
What happens next?
The launch of the Conservatives’ policy renewal process marks a significant moment in Badenoch’s leadership, as she seeks to regain voter confidence and prepare for the next general election.
With the party still trailing Labour in the polls, the success of this initiative will depend on whether the Tories can present a credible, fully costed vision for the country’s future.
As the shadow cabinet gets to work on drafting policies, all eyes will be on how Badenoch balances her commitment to Conservative principles with the practical challenges of governance.
With nothing off the table, the coming months could reshape the Conservative Party’s direction for years to come.
