Kemi Badenoch has expressed interest in emulating Javier Milei, Argentina’s far-right president known for aggressively reducing government involvement.
When asked if the UK required its own version of Milei and whether she saw herself in that role, Badenoch, whose party currently trails in third place in polls, responded: “Yes and yes.”
Milei, who identifies as an anarcho-capitalist, assumed office in 2023 with a pledge to significantly decrease public spending and has frequently praised Margaret Thatcher.
In a discussion with the Financial Times, Badenoch stated that Milei’s approach would serve as a model for her own policies. She argued that her party must focus on “offering hope” rather than merely echoing dissatisfaction, contrasting it with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
However, she acknowledged that after years of political instability, voters remained hesitant to support the Conservatives again, adding that Reform was currently dominating public attention.
Badenoch suggested that the public would eventually grow weary of Farage’s rhetoric, accusing him of positioning his party to the left of the Conservatives on certain policies, such as welfare.
She outlined her own strategy, though she has faced pressure to provide more specifics, stating it would not involve indiscriminate cuts but rather reassessing the state’s functions and purpose.
Despite rumors of possible leadership challenges due to internal dissatisfaction, Badenoch dismissed concerns, stating she paid little attention to such speculation.
Badenoch cannot face a leadership challenge until November, marking her first year as leader. Robert Jenrick, defeated by her in the leadership race, recently raised concerns about demographic changes in some areas of the country.
When questioned about his comments, Badenoch noted that people might choose different phrasing than she would but declined to intervene.
She emphasized that her party could take a firm stance on immigration without resorting to extreme rhetoric, reiterating her past apology for the party’s handling of the issue.
Badenoch added that economic policy remains her priority, saying she has been intensely focused on the matter above all else.
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