How the Tories can bounce back
Spectator (UK)SEP 2024
UK: Badenoch Begins Shadow Cabinet Appointments
Above: Conservative Party leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch lawmaker seen delivering a speech on the last day of the conference on Oct. 2, 2024. Image copyright: David Tramontan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The Spin
Right narrative
Despite several roles still to be confirmed, Badenoch's surprise move to appoint Patel, Stride, and Jenrick — three former leadership rivals — into the shadow cabinet shows a Conservative focus on a united future. As Laura Trott's inaugural outing as shadow education secretary on Monday evening showed, Badenoch's team is ready to both defend the party's government record and shape a new policy agenda fit for the future.
Left narrative
Badenoch has wasted no time in picking her shadow cabinet — a move that she may end up regretting given her already limited options following the Summer's electoral wipeout. Already viewed as a risky choice by the party, Badenoch must make sure that her combative style does not alienate the few Tory lawmakers that remain in Westminster. For better or for worse, if Badenoch is to survive as Tory leader she must accept the decisions she has now made.