At the Conservative Party conference, Kemi Badenoch delivered a speech that drew a clear distinction between the Conservatives and Reform UK, signaling that a right-wing alliance is unlikely. Speaking with marked intensity, Badenoch rejected calls to unify the right, emphasizing fundamental differences between the two parties.

Addressing concerns about identity politics raised within the right, Badenoch criticized Reform UK’s preoccupation with ethnic definitions of Britishness. She expressed discomfort with the party’s approach to national identity, particularly its implication that certain ethnic groups are less English. This stance was underscored by remarks from Reform associates, including Suella Braverman, who stated she does not consider herself English but of Asian origin, and Robert Jenrick, who affirmed that debates over English identity are legitimate. Badenoch’s comments sought to distance the Conservative Party from what she described as divisive and racially charged rhetoric surrounding identity.

Beyond cultural issues, Badenoch focused heavily on economic policies, positioning herself and the Conservatives as champions of aspiration, personal responsibility, and economic revival. She articulated a vision rooted in traditional Thatcherite principles, advocating for a UK economy that encourages investment and wealth retention rather than the migration of capital to international tax havens such as Dubai. Her policy proposals included incentives aimed at property owners, such as scrapping stamp duty and inheritance tax, intended to foster wealth accumulation and economic growth.

However, critics noted the speech did not offer substantial commitments to address housing affordability for non-homeowners, an issue affecting many working-class voters. Badenoch’s message appeared tailored more towards those already possessing assets, raising questions about the party’s outreach to broader socioeconomic groups.

The speech also touched on the ongoing challenge for the Conservatives to regain support among working-class voters who backed Boris Johnson in 2019 but have since drifted away. Badenoch invoked the legacy of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, highlighting her success in expanding homeownership and appealing to working-class aspirations. She suggested that the Conservative Party could rebuild its electoral base by delivering tangible economic benefits and fostering a sense of national pride.

The speech sets the stage for a contest between the Conservatives and Reform UK, with Badenoch making clear that cooperation between the two factions is off the table. Instead, the path forward for Badenoch involves overt competition with Reform UK, particularly on the right-wing electorate, as both seek to consolidate influence ahead of future elections.