The Guardian’s political correspondent Aletha Adu investigates whether the Conservative Party, under the leadership of Kemi Badenoch, can reclaim its position as the dominant party on the British right in a new episode of the paper’s podcast.
For the past two years the surge in support among right‑leaning voters has largely benefited Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, which has been widely seen as the primary beneficiary of public frustration with the main parties. Adu’s episode asks what has changed recently to put the Conservatives back on more even footing and whether Badenoch’s personal appeal is enough to reverse the party’s decline.
Why Badenoch resonates
Adu explores the sources of Badenoch’s popularity among voters and commentators, considering how her public persona and policy positions have attracted attention. The episode looks at whether that popularity translates into electoral momentum for the party as a whole, or whether it will remain confined to the leader herself.
The competition with Reform UK
The podcast also assesses the strategic contest between Conservative and Reform UK, noting that recent opinion polls have put the two parties neck‑and‑neck. Adu examines the factors that could determine which party consolidates support on the right, including messaging, policy platforms and voter perceptions of credibility and competence.
Outlook for the right
Adu’s analysis weighs the prospects for the Conservatives to regain a clear lead, while acknowledging the uncertainties that remain. The programme considers scenarios in which Badenoch might succeed in uniting right‑of‑centre voters behind the Tories, and others where Reform UK could maintain or extend its appeal.
Listeners are invited to share their views. Comments and questions about the episode can be sent to tif.questions@theguardian.com.