Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader, has expressed concern that the formation of isolated communities in the UK is undermining migrant integration and weakening national cohesion. Speaking at the party’s annual conference on October 4, 2026, Badenoch criticized what she described as “ghettos of separatist communities” where migrants recreate aspects of their countries of origin instead of embracing British social norms.

Badenoch emphasized that while citizenship in the UK has never been race-based, it involves adopting not only shared values and principles but also specific cultural norms and expectations. “The way we go about doing things, the norms, the expectations, those are things that we all have a responsibility to look after,” she said, adding that integration is a collective responsibility, not solely the government’s.

Her remarks come amid ongoing Conservative efforts to tighten immigration controls, including proposals to make it more difficult for legal migrants to obtain permanent settlement and indefinite leave to remain. The party appears to be targeting voters concerned about immigration, an electorate also being courted by the Reform UK party.

In a 95-page essay titled *The Right Way*, published alongside her conference address, Badenoch acknowledged past government shortcomings on immigration, conceding that previous administrations promised reductions without a clear delivery strategy. She framed these proposals as part of a broader plan to rebuild trust in the Conservative Party following its defeat in the 2024 general election.

Badenoch underscored the party’s position on governance as one of managing limited resources, making difficult choices about public spending and priorities. She challenged the opposition Labour Party’s approach, accusing it of being unprepared for government and insufficiently serious about defence. “I don’t think Labour gets it. I don’t think they are serious about spending 3 percent of GDP on defence by 2030," she said. Badenoch criticized what she called Labour’s reliance on diplomatic overtures to adversarial states, asserting that “those countries respect strength.”

Beyond immigration and defence, the Conservatives announced plans to build 50,000 new prison places and to remove the £100,000 earnings cap that currently limits access to 30 hours of free weekly childcare for higher-income families.

Despite these policies and efforts to reshape the party’s image, recent polls show the Conservatives trailing both Labour and Reform UK. A YouGov survey from late September placed Reform UK in the lead at 25 percent, Labour slightly behind at 24 percent, and the Conservatives at 19 percent.

Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson criticized the Conservative leader’s stance, highlighting divisions within the party and contrasting Badenoch’s vision with Labour’s recent policy announcements. Phillipson said, “Kemi Badenoch wants to drag our country back to a politics that let so many people down over the past 40 years,” while praising Labour leader Andy Burnham’s recent proposals as a message of hope for the country.

As the Conservatives attempt to regain momentum ahead of the next general election, Badenoch’s speeches and policy commitments signal a focus on immigration control, national identity, and defence readiness as key themes for the party’s future strategy.