Kemi Badenoch has reached her first major milestone as Leader of the Opposition. But rather than celebrating 100 days at the helm of the Conservative Party, she finds herself navigating an increasingly turbulent political landscape. From struggling to define her leadership to the growing threat of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, Badenoch’s early tenure has been marked by challenges, missteps, and internal party tensions.
A Party in Disarray
When Badenoch won the Conservative leadership contest on 2nd November 2024, she inherited a party that had been decimated at the ballot box. With just 121 MPs and a fractured support base, the Conservatives were in survival mode. Leading figures like Penny Mordaunt had lost their seats, and James Cleverly, once a strong leadership contender, retreated to the backbenches. Meanwhile, Badenoch was left with the unenviable task of rebuilding a party that had little money, a shrinking membership, and a deep identity crisis.
Her leadership campaign promised renewal, but after three months, the party is still struggling to define what that means. Rather than setting a bold new agenda, the Conservatives have been reacting to crises – particularly the rise of Reform UK, which has overtaken them in some polls.
The Reform UK Problem
Reform UK’s growing influence is perhaps the single biggest threat to Badenoch’s leadership. A recent Sky News/YouGov poll put Reform ahead of the Tories for the first time, and Farage’s presence in Parliament has given him a platform to attack Badenoch relentlessly.
Despite rejecting the idea of a Conservative-Reform pact, Badenoch faces mounting pressure from within her party to reach an agreement. Robert Jenrick, her former leadership rival, has been particularly vocal about the need to engage with Farage, further undermining her authority. The question of whether Badenoch can outflank Reform without alienating moderate Conservatives remains unanswered.
Struggles at Prime Minister’s Questions
Opposition leaders live or die by their performances at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), and so far, Badenoch has yet to land a decisive blow on Keir Starmer. Critics argue she lacks the discipline and focus needed to press the government effectively. Instead of concentrating on a single issue, she often jumps from topic to topic, weakening her impact.
Her strongest moment came early on, when she used Donald Trump’s US election victory to attack Labour’s previous criticisms of the former president. But since then, her performances have been largely forgettable. Facing a Labour Party with an overwhelming majority, she has struggled to cut through.
Media and Messaging Issues
One of Badenoch’s biggest weaknesses is her reluctance to engage with the media. Unlike Farage, who thrives on publicity, Badenoch has often delegated press duties to her shadow cabinet colleagues. Insiders suggest she “hates doing media” – a significant problem for an opposition leader who needs to dominate the news cycle.
When she does make media appearances, she has been criticised for attacking her own party’s record in government rather than setting out a compelling Conservative vision for the future. In a key speech in January, she lambasted previous Conservative leaders for failing to plan properly for Brexit and mismanaging immigration policy – comments that irritated many within her own ranks.
The Conservative Party’s financial woes have compounded these issues. With major donors shifting their support to Reform UK, Badenoch has struggled to raise funds. She has also avoided the traditional circuit of constituency dinners and party events, leaving local activists disheartened.
Leadership Under Scrutiny
Badenoch’s leadership style has also come under fire. Reports from Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) suggest that her tough talk has demoralised staff rather than galvanised them. At a recent meeting, she reportedly told party workers that if they weren’t up to the task, they should leave – an approach that left some in tears.
Her decision-making team remains small and insular, with key advisers including her chief of staff, Lee Rowley, and strategist Rachel Maclean. Some MPs believe this has led to an echo chamber effect, preventing Badenoch from responding dynamically to shifting political realities.
Where Next for Badenoch?
As Badenoch’s first 100 days come to a close, the verdict is mixed. On one hand, she has managed to hold the party together in a period of unprecedented crisis. On the other, she has yet to develop a compelling narrative or demonstrate that she can win back voters who have abandoned the Conservatives for Labour or Reform UK.
She has some time on her side. Political history suggests that opposition leaders often take a year or more to find their footing. Keir Starmer was widely dismissed as uninspiring in his early days, but when the Conservative collapse came, he was in position to capitalise. Badenoch may hope for a similar trajectory.
Yet with local elections approaching, the pressure is mounting. If Reform UK continues to gain ground and Badenoch fails to convince voters she is a prime minister-in-waiting, her leadership could be in serious jeopardy.
Final Thought
Kemi Badenoch’s first 100 days as opposition leader have been a test of endurance rather than a triumph of strategy. She has yet to fully define her leadership, and her struggle to dominate the media and PMQs has left her trailing behind both Labour and Reform UK.
With a demoralised party, a weakened infrastructure, and an existential crisis over Reform UK, the road ahead is treacherous. If she is to survive – let alone thrive – she must develop a clear, compelling vision that can bring the Conservative Party back from the brink. Otherwise, she may find herself facing the same fate as past opposition leaders who never made it to Downing Street.
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