Kemi Badenoch’s leadership has shifted the Conservative Party decisively to the right, prompting questions about the future of one-nation Conservatism. At the party conference in Manchester, Badenoch pledged to withdraw the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights and scrap the net zero target by 2050—moves that would have been controversial just years ago but now enjoy broad support among Tory MPs.
The One Nation parliamentary caucus has been quietly dissolved. After the election, MPs decided not to meet again, with one MP citing a need for unity. Damian Green, former chair of the caucus, said Badenoch asked factions to disband. However, key new MPs like Harriet Cross and Neil Shastri-Hurst are seen as continuing the one-nation tradition, and the One Nation dining club still meets regularly.
Centrist MPs largely support Badenoch’s immigration policies. Andrew Mitchell, a former deputy foreign secretary, said politicians are catching up on the need for tougher action, but must avoid kowtowing to Nigel Farage. A shadow minister noted that the ECHR policy has cross-party support, including from figures like Nicholas Soames and Labour’s Jack Straw.
A moderate Tory MP argued that the growing consensus on immigration is not a lurch to the right, but stems from frustration over lack of control. They cautioned against dog-whistle language while supporting reduced illegal immigration. Some MPs, uncomfortable with Badenoch’s rhetoric, see little point in opposing her now, hoping a future leadership contest might produce a more moderate figure like James Cleverly.
