To think Kemi Badenoch is starting to talk an increasing amount of sense

[Sonato]

Never voted conservative a day in my life.

Seriously comsidering it after recent performances

I agree OP. I thought she handled the heckler impeccably but more than that, it wasn’t just another beige PR-nothing statement but rather a heartfelt takedown. These days the minute a horrific attack happens, you could almost write the average politician’s speech for them - usually a word salad of ‘horrified’ and ‘there can be no place for X, Y, Z’. It’s just the same words as every other statement, just rearranged.

I’ve been a homeless voter for years now but this did make me think Kemi might have something to offer. The jury is still out!

I feel like Badenoch has some similarities to the cult of Boris Johnson. She has a different kind of charisma but she manages to sway people. She is also articulate. She looks at what people want at any point in time, and gives a related speech or does something that appeals to the masses, not because she has any strong principles, but because she is after votes. And then people fall at her feet. You can see it on this thread.

She is simply saying what people want to hear, at a time when Starmer is being weak. Credit to her, she is being a politician. I would eat my hat though if she makes a good leader of the country. Time will tell.

I don’t agree, Labour seem so used to hearing the same soundbite lines at every interview they think this.

I think she is a very strong Unionist (I’m not really but it’s not a priority for me being English) but she sees massive groups of people as misbehaving children that need to be compelled by force to behave. I can see how little she tolerates public dissent, shirkers and the hard left.

It depends what you want really. I think she would do an excellent job with the economy and naturally when the economy is booming, people relax and lean to the left a bit and the other social issues tend to resolve themselves a bit.

Yep. The "cult" of Boris "but he's so funny" Johnson. And Nigel Farage is so similar. All of them are saying "Great Britain can all be yours, if you will kneel down and worship me". And the scary thing is, people do kneel down and worship them. Boris Johnson cared only about Boris Johnson; Nigel Farage cares only about Nigel Farage; and Kemi Badenoch cares only about...

Nope.

All i've heard her do is tear down everyone else. Her entire MO isnt to promote the conservatives, but to go on how rubbish she thinks everyone else is, completely ignoring the absolute shambles of her own party.

Are you still pro Starmer? Because that’s not going too well for Labour.

This. There is pretty much radio silence from her supporters on this thread about the losses the Tories are expected to incur tomorrow.

She tries to sound strong but can come over as abrasive. Many were offended by her comments about the RAF.

Charlie Stayt Just Schooled Kemi Badenoch — Live on BBC

Not at all.

I fully accept the prospect - I see it more as a potential reset.

For Labour however, I would argue its more existential - torn apart by tidal forces from the left and right, plus losing Wales and Scotland.

That’s the REAL story here.

Yep. There’s no point in having Starmer in place of he tanks the party to the extent he will. They’ll have to decide what to do.

Yes, they’re a bit stymied.

Tied to the deadweight that is Starmer, or they can call up the lightweights that are Streeting or Miliband.

Rayner is still on the bench, of course, and Burnham lacks a clear path back.

Hard to see any good outcomes for Labour.

The choice is between bad, and worse; and probably always has been.

I don't like Starmer; for that matter, I don't like any politician, as they're so disconnected from the rest of us, by wealth and privilege. He and his mates are not good at playing the political game: he needs to be showing us more about what he is doing that's right. He doesn't have the charisma that so many people crave, after Boris Johnson. But I'd rather have Labour than the Tories or the monster raving loony party Reform: they're hardly working the miracles that people thought they might, but I still think they're the closest thing we have to grown ups in charge.

Ooh a plop and run!
What is it you think she's talking sense about?
Hope you come back and actually tell us what you think before the thread maxes out, otherwise it just looks like a "wind em up and watch em go" thread.

Thanks for this. We have the same from her supporters @EasternStandard and @Hallowedturf - it happened last night, as well. They are making a concerted effort to stifle any interesting discussion and just hate the government and bring up the party in government all the time.

I don’t think it’s a charisma issue for him, it’s more than that. His high point was probably being thought to lack charisma it’s now more about other stuff.

I think the grown ups line from June 2024 is over for most people too.

This. 14 years of running the country into the ground.

@MulberryBrandyyou know you are free to post, you have many times. Keep going, it might not help Labour but you’re still free to do so.

It’s probably best to move on from this stuff over and over though as no one is stopping you, post away.

That's beyond unreasonable, she's a gibbering idiot who can barely string two words together sensibly never mind an entire sentence!

That's such a strange thing to say. I think she speaks very cogently, please give an example of her being a 'gibbering idiot'.

I might not always agree with her, but she always speaks well

Agree it's such a weird comment. She's extremely well spoken and articulate. It's almost like it was written by someone (maybe) who's never heard her speak.

She’s very articulate and she’s getting better. My objection to her is that she’s condescending and abrasive. While that might stand her in good stead at PMQs it certainly wouldn’t work on the international stage.

I find this odd. She went against the party, and civil servants and acted on principle in regard to women's rights as a Minister. She did the opposite of giving people what they wanted, did not follow the rest of the sheep politicians, but followed the evidence and acted on principle. That took a lot of courage. Of course it did mean that from then on some people were out to get her.

But she's a "nice eloquent Tory"

I don't believe that anyone on this thread has said that she is 'nice', but do correct me if I'm wrong.

FWIW I don't think she is. And that's fine by me.

Unfortunately I don't think she has the political nous to be a good leader, but she was bloody good at Gender issues, when it was her brief. As compared to all the Labour MPs who's job it is.

She has got a good voice - in tone and clarity. I remember Margaret Thatcher decided to have lessons to reduce her higher pitch. I suppose the other poster was referring to Kemi constantly repeating the same thing - thinking that reinforces her point.

She’s very articulate and she’s getting better. My objection to her is that she’s condescending and abrasive. While that might stand her in good stead at PMQs it certainly wouldn’t work on the international stage.
yes, I think that's a problem