Battle of ideas looming in British politics, Badenoch to say

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch will say there is a "battle of ideas" looming in British politics when she delivers a speech on the final day of her party's annual conference on Wednesday.

This week the Tory leader has been seeking to re-frame the way the public views her party, which has yet to recover in the polls since the last election.

There is also speculation that Badenoch could propose changes to inheritance tax. According to the Times, external, Badenoch is due to announce a cut to the 40% rate of the tax.

In 2023-24 inheritance tax was paid on 4.72% of estates and raised around £7bn for the government.

"That is why she has asked Andrew Griffith, the shadow chancellor, to see what is possible - when that work is finished we will make an announcement."

During her main conference speech, Badenoch, whose personal poll ratings are higher than those of her party, will pitch the fight against Labour at the next general election as "a battle for the soul of this nation".

According to extracts released in advance, Badenoch will say Burnham's government wants to "wind back the clock to failed ideas of the past".

"They think that your income, your pension and your savings are theirs to take and then hand out as they see fit."

By contrast, Conservatives believe "what people earn belongs to them, not government", Badenoch will say - adding that growing the economy "will be the central organising principle of the next Conservative government".

Chancellor John Healey said all promises the government made would be "built on the rock of fiscal discipline" and the Budget on 28 October would "give families and businesses a bit of breathing space".

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