The Conservative Party is currently navigating internal debates over its identity and policy direction amid its ongoing conference. Central to these discussions is a newly released 90-page document titled *The Right Way*, authored by Kemi Badenoch. The publication draws inspiration from Keith Joseph’s 1976 blueprint, which helped define the principles of Thatcherism, and proposes measures including tighter welfare eligibility for under-25s, stricter welfare controls, and expanded prison capacity.

Badenoch faced questions over whether these measures signal a return to the so-called “nasty party” image—a term famously used by former Tory chairman Theresa May in 2002 to describe the party’s perceived lack of empathy toward certain voter groups. Critics within and outside the party argue that a reluctance to implement robust conservative policies, due to concerns over negative optics, has long undermined the Tories' ability to govern decisively.

The issue remains contentious within Conservative ranks. Some members, including figures aligned with Reform UK, fear that despite Badenoch’s strong conservative stance, there is insufficient ideological cohesion within the party. A shadow minister from Badenoch’s team expressed concern that current party directions risk reinforcing the “nasty party” label. This internal divide also reflects a broader clash between traditional conservatives and more moderate or liberal factions—sometimes referred to as the “wets.” Notably, Penny Mordaunt, perceived by some as aligned with the party’s more centrist elements, has recently been reinstated to the Conservative candidates’ list, signaling ongoing factional tensions.

Reform UK’s education spokeswoman, Suella Braverman, has criticized the Conservatives in her memoir *Patriot*, accusing the party of repeatedly compromising their founding principles to appease internal rivals. This balancing act, critics say, results in strong rhetoric followed by hesitancy in policy implementation.

The debate extends beyond the Conservative Party. Some commentators argue that political nastiness is more prevalent on the left, pointing to recent controversies at the Green Party conference, which included a motion equating Zionism with racism and failure to pass protections for Jewish members. Supporters of this view contend that political discourse around kindness has become skewed, emphasizing a “cult of kindness” that they consider insincere and disconnected from practical realities.

Proponents of tougher policies argue that some forms of “tough love” are necessary to address issues such as the ongoing migrant crossings in small boats, which have raised concerns about exploitation and community impact. Similarly, they maintain that welfare reform aimed at incentivizing work and skill-building offers a more sustainable path for young people than continuing current benefits arrangements, which some see as trapping recipients in dependency.

As the Conservative Party grapples with its strategic identity, some argue that it should focus less on worrying about perceptions tied to the “nasty party” label and more on reevaluating the consequences of avoiding firm policymaking during its previous years in government. The ongoing debate underscores the challenges the party faces in balancing electoral appeal with ideological coherence.