Judy Finnigan has praised Kemi Badenoch's Conservative Conference speech, describing it as "pretty damn good" in both content and delivery.
Writing for the Daily Express, Finnigan, who describes herself and her husband as "pretty much apolitical," said Badenoch's speech struck a heavy blow against inheritance tax. She noted it is strange that a tax affecting less than 5% of the population should be so reviled.
Why inheritance tax is hated
Finnigan suggests the tax is widely disliked because many aspire to leave a significant sum to their children and grandchildren. She calls inheritance tax a "loathed 'double tax'" on money already taxed, adding "It's just not fair."
She also points out that while the tax can be avoided by giving gifts while alive, if the giver dies within seven years, recipients must pay 40% on what was given.
Badenoch's pledges
Finnigan says Badenoch's skill was recognising that most people's wealth is tied up in their home. The promise to scrap inheritance tax on the family home if the Tories win the next election "played straight to the beating heart of middle England."
Finnigan also welcomed the additional pledge to scrap mansion tax, calling it "another crude double-dip," as well as the guarantee of up to a million pounds in cash being kept out of the inheritance tax trap.
She recalls that a few decades ago, similar promises caused Conservative poll ratings to shoot up overnight, but the party backtracked. "Something tells me Kemi will," she writes.
Prince Andrew and Lucy Punch
Finnigan also expresses sympathy for Prince Andrew, saying she feels "a bit sorry" for him. She notes he has instructed lawyers to challenge Thames Valley Police over the legality of raids on his homes in Windsor and Sandringham last winter, and alleges personal items were seized without good cause.
Finally, she welcomes the return of Lucy Punch in a Christmas special of her series Amandaland, saying filming has been seen in Islington and the special will air on Christmas Day.
