Has Kemi Badenoch silenced the critics?
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Has Kemi Badenoch silenced the critics?

34:57 Oct 10, 2025
About this episode
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 @greenmirandaWhat did you think of this episode? Let us know at politicalfix@ft.com  Want more? Free links:    The Conservatives’ long road back to credibilityKemi Badenoch pledges to scrap stamp duty on property Robert Jenrick says UK ministers should have power to pick judgesThe battle to dismantle Blair’s BritainSpying case collapsed after UK refused to label China a ‘threat’, prosecutors saySign up to Stephen Bush's morning newsletter Inside Politics for straight-talking insight into the stories that matter, plus puns and tongue (mostly) in cheek. Get 30 days free at https://www.ft.com/InsidePoliticsOfferPresented 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. 
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