How Long Does Kemi Badenoch Have?
Recent polling by Deltapoll shows only 38% of Brits recognize Kemi Badenoch in a photograph. She joked to an audience of MPs and journalists, “People didn’t seem to be getting the message that I was an engineer,” explaining why she gave her speech at the Royal Academy of Engineering to make the point clear.
One year and two days into her leadership of the Conservative Party, Badenoch’s quip drew polite laughter—but it revealed a deeper truth: most people outside Westminster neither know nor care who she is.
The Major Moment for Badenoch
This week marks an important anniversary for Badenoch as leader. It is the moment when she can face a challenge from her MPs, whose feelings have shifted drastically in the past year—from hope to despondency, then despair.
Conservatives who once believed the 2024 election was their low point have been dismayed as polling numbers kept dropping. When Badenoch became leader, the party held steady at 25%. Now, a year later, the Conservatives are at 16%, trailing behind Reform, Labour, and sometimes even the Liberal Democrats and Greens.
Shift in Political Standing
The party's position as one of the two main government forces has been broken, and its role as the main opposition is uncertain.
“People didn’t seem to be getting the message that I was an engineer.” – Kemi Badenoch
Author’s note: Despite a year in leadership, Kemi Badenoch faces declining recognition and growing challenges as her party's political standing weakens significantly.