Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake has warned that a Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition after the next election would bring higher taxes, greater regulation, more unemployment and a rewiring of the election system. He argued that only Kemi Badenoch as prime minister can deliver the "rescue" Britain needs.
Warning over coalition and proportional representation
Speaking ahead of the Conservative conference in Birmingham, Mr Hollinrake predicted that a red-yellow coalition would attempt to introduce proportional representation.
"They'd try and bring in proportional representation to try and make sure we never got a proper Conservative government ever again," he said.
The next election does not have to take place until August 2029, but Mr Hollinrake, who built up the Hunters estate agents network before entering politics, insisted the future of the country is at stake.
Conference as a platform for recovery
Mr Hollinrake said the party must "win outright" and would do everything to make the case against socialism and its impact on business confidence, jobs, debt and taxation.
"We know we can fix this," he said. "There are some things that are broken but they can be fixed and Kemi has the character, she has the team, and she has the plan."
Recent Ipsos polling found only 23% had a favourable view of the Conservatives. Mr Hollinrake acknowledged the challenge but said the party is "really, really stepping forward" and has around 2,000 applicants for its candidates list.
Reaching out to the North and business
Mr Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, criticised Andy Burnham's decision to open a Number 10 North, saying his constituents are not impressed by increasing the size of government.
"They're clamouring for a Prime Minister who is willing to take the tough decisions and give the country what it needs, which is some tough love," he said.
He also dismissed the prospect of Angela Rayner hitting the Government's target of delivering 1.5 million homes, saying there is "absolutely no chance at all".
Mr Hollinrake said Labour ministers do not understand business confidence because they have never worked in the business world, and he vowed that the party will always be the party of business.
On Reform UK, he said: "We don't spend lots of time worrying about Nigel Farage or what he's doing," describing him as "the one-man band in the one-man circus".
He insisted Badenoch is different from other politicians: "Kemi never says one thing and does another. Whatever she says, she will deliver upon."
"We've got clear plans to do this," he said. "It's not complicated, but it does need somebody with character to implement it. That's the kind of rescue we need. The rescue comes in the form of Kemi Badenoch."
