The Conservative Party has begun to shape its approach to taking on Prime Minister Andy Burnham, with Kemi Badenoch accusing him of pursuing 'pet projects' and trying to 'turn back the clock to the 1970s'.
Speaking at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, Badenoch delivered her closing speech with a series of attacks on Burnham, who has been in power since July. A senior member of Badenoch's team told Metro that the Prime Minister does not have a plan for the country but just a few 'pet projects'.
Badenoch's conference attack
In her speech, Badenoch argued that Burnham wants to 'live in the past' and is using nostalgia as a strategy, referencing his belief that the country took a wrong turn under Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s. She also brought up his time as shadow home secretary under Jeremy Corbyn, saying: 'Nodding along to a man who wanted to take the UK out of Nato, give up our nuclear deterrent, and even disband our army.'
She also made personal jibes, calling Burnham a 'Paddington Bear prime minister' who was 'hoping that the problems go away' while Putin attacks allies. Badenoch warned the conference: 'Don't let this man fool you with his fluttering eyelashes and his pork scratchings.'
Will the approach work?
It is hard to imagine a bolder repudiation to Burnham's insistence that he wants Westminster to focus on 'problem-solving, not point-scoring'. Badenoch is a politician who revels in winding up her opponents and having debates that are as brash and public as possible. Her supporters love it, and the public also seemed to when it was against Sir Keir Starmer.
Thanks to Kemi, we'll soon find out if that same approach will win out in the new era.
