Conservative Party Faces Internal Pressures Amid Reform UK Surge at 2025 Conference

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, has drawn parallels between her current challenges and those faced by Margaret Thatcher in opposition, highlighting the need for stamina and resilience in transforming the party. Despite the Conservative Party's struggles, including polling at just 15%, Badenoch continues to push a policy agenda focused on withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights and deporting over 100,000 people, positioning the Tories as a moderate alternative between Labour and Reform UK. However, the party faces criticism for being overshadowed by Reform UK and Nigel Farage, who have been more vocal and active on key issues like immigration, leading to concerns about the Conservatives' political future. Badenoch argues that her more measured and coherent policy approach, developed over the past year, will ultimately pay off, even if it has allowed Reform to temporarily take the lead. Internal Tory voices express anxiety about an existential crisis, fearing the party could be wiped out as the dominant right-wing force if it doesn't regain ground soon. The ongoing conference in Manchester reflects Badenoch's attempt to reassert Conservative relevance amid these challenges.