𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

If Tory leader Kemi Badenoch really felt the good folks of Clacton deserved better in the recent by-election, then why didn’t she put up a Tory candidate against Nigel Farage? This claim was as bizarre as her saying Reform is “woke”. Even Reform’s fiercest critics wouldn’t say that. As for refusing to allow certain former Tory MPs to recant their views and stand as parliamentary candidates, why was such a harsh view not taken with a former anti-Semite council candidate in Somerset?

Badenoch had the chance to shake up her shadow cabinet this summer as well. She failed to do so. As for policy announcements, the Conservatives basically rehashed Reform ideas in watered-down form. Kemi, voters want the real deal. Not your pale imitation. And FYI, voters haven’t forgotten the fourteen years of Tory failure and your role in it: from open borders to botching Brexit.

Sure, Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman were key members of that failure of a government, but they at least disavowed it by joining Reform.

The Conservative Party may cling on to a loyal band of followers, but most voters see the Tories for what they are: failed and washed up.

If hitting 17-19% in the polls is considered a success, what on earth would failure look like? Now with summer recess ending, time has run out to gain any momentum.

Badenoch treated Clacton with contempt this summer. She didn’t put up a candidate because she knew Farage would win whatever the weather.

She participated in an Establishment stitch-up with a joke candidate making a mockery of the people of the Essex constituency. Voters should not be so forgiving of her next time.