In a dramatic conference speech that sent shockwaves through Westminster, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch launched a scathing assault on Reform UK, accusing the rival party of threatening to hand Sir Keir Starmer an unprecedented "super-majority" that could dismantle years of Conservative achievements.
The Super-Majority Warning
Ms Badenoch didn't mince words as she addressed Conservative supporters, delivering a stark message about the electoral mathematics facing the party. "Every vote for Reform makes Labour's super-majority more likely," she declared, painting a vivid picture of what such an outcome would mean for the country.
The Cabinet minister warned that this potential Labour landslide would create a parliament where opposition voices would be effectively silenced, allowing the government to push through radical legislation without effective scrutiny or challenge.
Defending the Conservative Legacy
In her passionate defence of the government's record, Ms Badenoch highlighted what she described as transformative Conservative achievements that now stand at risk. She particularly emphasised the successful delivery of Brexit, a policy she argued had returned sovereignty to the British people and reshaped the nation's global position.
"We are the party that got Brexit done," she reminded the audience, positioning the Conservatives as the only credible defenders of this landmark political achievement.
Immigration and Economic Credibility
The Business Secretary also tackled the contentious issue of immigration head-on, acknowledging public concerns while maintaining that the Conservatives offer the most credible approach to managing migration numbers.
She contrasted what she described as the government's practical, economically responsible policies with what she characterised as Reform UK's unrealistic promises and lack of substantive policy detail.
A Call to Conservative Unity
Throughout her address, Ms Badenoch repeatedly returned to the theme of party unity and the importance of maintaining a broad Conservative coalition. She argued that Reform UK's approach risked fragmenting the right-wing vote, ultimately benefiting only the Labour Party.
Her speech represented both a warning to potential Reform voters and a rallying cry for Conservatives to unite behind their party as the next general election approaches.
The Stakes for Britain's Future
Ms Badenoch framed the coming electoral battle as nothing less than a fight for Britain's future direction. She positioned the Conservatives as the party of economic stability and practical governance, while characterising the choice between Reform and Conservative as one between protest voting and real political influence.
The intensity of her remarks underscored the growing concern within Conservative ranks about Reform UK's potential to split the right-wing vote, potentially leading to what she described as a constitutional upheaval that could reshape British politics for a generation.
