A satirical tapestry mocking the Labour Party’s record since returning to government is set to feature prominently at next week’s Conservative Party conference. The work, inspired by the historic Bayeux Tapestry, employs humor to highlight several controversies and policy failures attributed to Labour during its first two years in power.

The spoof tapestry, measuring 88 feet, is significantly shorter than the original 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry, which is 224 feet long and depicts events leading up to the Battle of Hastings. Designed as a pointed political commentary, the panels reference incidents such as the Peter Mandelson scandal and Angela Rayner’s resignation following a tax investigation. It also criticizes Labour’s approach to defence spending and ongoing debates over the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union.

One section portrays Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, depicted wearing a beret and altering the EU flag while under the watch of a fictional political commentator. Above Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, an image of a dragon consuming itself represents challenges tied to climate policies under the "Net Zero" agenda. Another panel shows Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch operating a tank aimed at Burnham and Chancellor John Healey as they grapple with defence funding commitments. This imagery underscores the Conservative argument that defence spending must be prioritized, even at the expense of welfare budgets.

The tapestry also lampoons Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy prime minister and former housing secretary, by exaggerating a widely circulated photograph of her vaping in an inflatable ring. In the depiction, she is seen paddling away from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), which conducted an investigation into unpaid stamp duty on her Brighton flat. This inquiry ultimately contributed to her resignation from cabinet posts last year.

Kemi Badenoch, who leads the Conservative Party, described the piece as a blend of satire and history, emphasizing that it reflects a willingness to engage in political humor. She stated that the display is intended to show the party does not take itself too seriously.

The original Bayeux Tapestry, created in Kent in the late 11th century and currently on loan from France to the British Museum, has attracted significant public interest since its return to the UK after more than nine centuries. The Conservative spoof aims to harness some of that attention while delivering a pointed critique of Labour’s governance.