Kemi Badenoch is reviving the Conservative Party, but analysts warn Scotland remains a critical blind spot

From the Newshound archive · first published 9 October 2026 · last updated 10 October 2026.

Kemi Badenoch's Conservative Party conference speech in Birmingham drew widespread praise from columnists and allies this week, with Boris Johnson writing that she has single-handedly breathed new life into the Tory machine by championing lower tax, less regulation and ruthless border control. The Tories came third in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, but analysts note the party's polling has yet to show a concrete advance.

Johnson likened Badenoch's leadership to a stalled car finally roaring back to life, warning Britain is 'on the verge of a socialist disaster' under Burnham.

New Aberdeen South MP Douglas Lumsden, who won over 50 per cent of the vote despite Reform's rise, introduced Badenoch — the first Scot to open a Tory conference in that role since Ruth Davidson in 2013.

Scottish commentators warn that despite Badenoch's star quality, the party's strategy of disdain toward Reform and a return to traditional political silos leaves Scotland dangerously underserved.