Has Kemi Badenoch silenced the critics?

Has Kemi Badenoch silenced the critics?

Author: Financial Times October 10, 2025 Duration: 34:57

Conference season is over for another year and after a rousing speech from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to the party faithful, the Political Fix panel is asking: has she done enough to silence her critics and reverse the party’s slide into oblivion? And while recovering from a month on the road, your trusty Political Fixers mull over the performance of the other parties and what lies ahead as parliament reconvenes on Monday. Plus, more questions than answers about a Chinese spying case that collapsed before reaching court. Host George Parker, the FT’s political editor, is joined by UK chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley, Whitehall editor David Sheppard and deputy opinion editor Miranda Green. 


Follow George on X @GeorgeWParker or Bluesky: @georgewparker.bsky.social; David @oilsheppard.bsky.social; Robert @robertshrimsley.bsky.social; Miranda on X @greenmiranda


What did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com  


Want more? Free links:    


The Conservatives’ long road back to credibility

Kemi Badenoch pledges to scrap stamp duty on property 

Robert Jenrick says UK ministers should have power to pick judges

The battle to dismantle Blair’s Britain

Spying case collapsed after UK refused to label China a ‘threat’, prosecutors say


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Presented by George Parker and produced by Clare Williamson with Lulu Smyth and Flo Phillips. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Audio mix Jean-Marc Eck. Original music by Breen Turner. 


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


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Every Friday, the team behind Political Fix gathers to make sense of the week's political turbulence. This isn't just a recap of headlines; it's a deep, often lively conversation that pulls back the curtain on how decisions are really made in Westminster and beyond. You'll hear from the Financial Times journalists who are actually there, in the corridors and committee rooms, paired with expert voices who provide crucial context. Together, they untangle complex policy debates, analyse the shifting alliances, and question the strategies defining Britain's future. The result is a clear-eyed, authoritative look at the forces shaping the nation, delivered with the FT's signature rigor and insight. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining access to a private briefing, one that prioritizes substance over noise. It’s for anyone who wants to move past the soundbites and understand the real stories and personalities driving the political agenda. New episodes arrive weekly, offering a consistent and essential perspective on a landscape that never stops moving.
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