Five things we learned in Kemi Badenoch's big Tory conference speech

Five things we learned in Kemi Badenoch's big Tory conference speech Conservative leader has a clear message for the country: Vote Conservative if you do not want to pay inheritance tax on your family home Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments ANALYSIS By David Williamson , Chief Political Commentator 14:32, Wed, Oct 7, 2026 Updated: 14:34, Wed, Oct 7, 2026 Kemi Badenoch gave a direct message to Britons worried about inheritance tax (Image: Getty) Kemi Badenoch used her moment in the national spotlight to portray herself as the warrior who brought down Sir Keir Starmer and will make families across Britain better off by axing inheritance tax on their family homes. She is the undisputed master of her party and she addressed the faithful in Birmingham with utter confidence. Here are five messages she drove home. Tory Conference - Kemi Badenoch Speech Reaction Kemi Badenoch believes she has a clear message she can sell to voters (Image: Getty) 1. It’s all about money Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . The Conservatives may be out of power and behind in the polls, but Mrs Badenoch has no doubt the party has a message that will connect with worried voters – the country is running out of money, but you will be better off under the Tories at key moments in your family’s life. Stamp duty will be scrapped, there will be no mansion tax and – as confirmed in her speech – inheritance tax will not be charged on a family home. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Yes, the Conservatives will tackle anxieties about crime and national defence, but she knows millions of Britons will sit up and listen if she has a credible message about protecting their livelihoods. Kemi Badenoch stamped on suggestions she should do a deal with Reform UK (Image: Getty) 2. A deal with Reform is really not on the agenda Mrs Badenoch unleashed weapons-grade venom in the direction of Nigel Farage ’s party, portraying its MPs as unfit for government. “To those who say unite the Right, we are not uniting with that,” she spat out. She quipped that the Conservatives had enjoyed an “export boom” with its “drama queens” going to Reform. Andy Burnham will come under greater political attack than he has ever experienced (Image: Peter Powell/PA) 3. Andy Burnham will be blasted as a danger to Britain The Tory leader road-tested lines we can expect to hear repeatedly in the run-up to the next election. The Tories will portray the PM as a hapless and deluded leader whose refusal to grasp urgent challenges is a danger to Britain. She told the hall: “The last thing this country needs is a Paddington Bear prime minister, hoping that the problems go away, while Putin attacks our allies, while our economy flatlines.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Kemi Badenoch knows the Tories have a long way to go to win back trust (Image: Andrew Stenning/Reach plc) 4. She knows the country is not yet behind the Conservatives – and she won’t let her party forget it While the polls show that her favourability ratings have soared, the Conservative Party has a long and hard slog ahead of it as its fights to regain the trust of the public. She warned: “People are looking through the shop window, they like what they see, but let’s be honest, not enough of them are buying yet. We need to fix that.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Kemi Badenoch's speech was a victory lap for her role in ousting Sir Keir Starmer (Image: -) 5. She is taking the credit for getting rid of Sir Keir Starmer Before Mrs Badenoch stepped on stage, a video was played of her zingers at Prime Minister’s Questions, setting the narrative that she ended Sir Keir’s career as prime minister. This is important for grassroots morale – the party may have lost legions of MPs and councillors, but she has toppled a landslide-winning PM. If she can do that in two years, the logic goes, who knows what will be possible by the time of the next election. Tory conference LIVE: Kemi Badenoch launches savage attack on Andy Burnham Nigel Farage's top aide 'cleared' in probe over Channel 4 allegations Nigel Farage Conservative Party Inheritance tax Kemi Badenoch Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments