Conservatives in Crisis, Britain at a Crossroads: The Road to Economic Renewal

The Conservative Party's Moment of Reckoning

Today, the Conservative Party faces the real prospect of extinction. After years of broken promises and internal psychodrama, public trust has collapsed. In both national and local elections, voters have overwhelmingly turned their backs on us. The 2024 General Election saw tactical voting on an unprecedented scale — with voters choosing anyone but a Conservative to send a message. The country isn't just disillusioned. It's angry.

I believe Kemi Badenoch and the Conservative shadow cabinet have understood this message loud and clear. They recognise and understand why the public abandoned the party — due to a combination of broken promises, weak conservatism, and a lack of principle. That reckoning is the very crucial first step toward renewal.

The only path back to office for the Conservative Party is through a coherent economic plan. Historically, we were the party of economic literacy, fiscal responsibility, and an understanding of business. However, external shocks such as Covid-19 and the energy crisis forced us to abandon fiscal conservatism and resort to splashing out hundreds of billions in handouts to support people and businesses. The situation was worsened by the catastrophic Liz Truss mini-budget, which severely damaged public confidence. The last time we lost trust in the economy — under John Major during Black Wednesday — it led to three consecutive election defeats. We must not repeat that mistake.

I'm not denying that scandals, dishonesty, and socially left-wing policies have alienated voters. But our path back to government must be rooted in economic credibility. This doesn't mean ignoring cultural concerns like migration and identity politics — they matter deeply to many — but focusing on them alone will not deliver us a majority. Reform UK has already captured much of the ground on these issues. If we try to outbid them, we risk looking inauthentic and desperate. Additionally, there is a risk of losing party supporters who less identify with the plight of Reform UK.

Of course, these social issues remain crucial. Kemi and her team should continue to articulate a principled social conservatism. But let's be clear: it's economic vision and competence that will restore public trust and give us a real chance at returning to government.

There is a growing public appetite for a government that speaks plainly about the state of our economy and the need for fiscal discipline. A fiscally conservative approach — grounded in responsibility and growth — in my view will resonate with voters who are tired of high taxes, growing debt, economic decline and spending outside our means.

Kemi Badenoch's team should develop a clear and consistent economic strategy — one that prioritises sensible tax reform, targeted welfare reductions, smart deregulation, a leaner state, and a relentless focus on long-term economic growth.

Particularly post-Brexit, our fiscal policy has been frustratingly inconsistent. We had a chance to forge a truly transformative economic policy after Brexit, one that could have rewired the state to better serve the nation's long-term interests. Instead, the post-Brexit Tory years were characterized by political instability, short-termism, mixed messaging, and a reluctance to make tough decisions.

Of course, there were external challenges like the pandemic and global economic pressures, but that doesn't absolve the lack of bold, principled leadership when it came to domestic fiscal policy. Let's be honest: our economic record in government has been marked by inconsistency and short-term thinking, and it's not one we can proudly parade.

This is the perfect opportunity to rethink what economic conservatism is and reassess our guiding principles and fundamental beliefs as a party. I strongly believe this is a space we can fill. Reform UK is trying to appeal to 'red wall' voters—those who traditionally supported Labour but now feel alienated. However, in doing so, they've adopted policies that aren't fiscally conservative. Not only have they abandoned their stance on cutting welfare, but they have also backed the nationalisation of British steel—a move that isn't exactly conservative—and voted to increase benefits and spending at every turn.

Reform UK has abandoned the key fiscal conservative principles that Nigel Farage once advocated so effectively. Despite promising tax cuts, there is no way they can deliver on this without the political courage to make the tough decisions on cutting welfare. They are not a fiscally Conservative Party.

The Labour Party's current economic record speaks for itself. While the Chancellor may hold respectable principles, she is constrained by a left-wing party base that is unwilling to accept fiscal restraint. As a result, Labour has increased borrowing, raised government spending, and shown no real courage to cut welfare. Under their leadership, unemployment has risen month by month—an alarming development that undermines confidence in their economic management. Labour's reckless tax-and-spend agenda will only exacerbate the economic problems we face, making a fiscally responsible alternative even more critical.

The British public is already beginning to sense this. Trust in Labour's economic competence is falling—and fast. If this continues, the government's economic credibility could collapse entirely, putting the UK on an even more precarious financial footing.

Both to our right and left, we face parties that promise ever-increasing public spending but lack the political courage to be honest with the electorate about how it will be funded. If either Reform UK or Labour were to win the 2029 general election, we risk another era of unsustainable borrowing, fiscal irresponsibility, and long-term economic decline. This approach would burden future generations and weaken Britain's ability to grow, invest, and lead on the global stage.

This opens up political space for a centre-right, fiscally conservative Party—one that is honest, principled, and serious about Britain's future. If we want any hope of returning to government, this is the ground we must claim.

There is a growing appetite for a politics rooted in honesty, conviction, and ambition. A Conservative Party that tells hard truths, tackles the difficult issues, and stands firmly by its principles is a party that can once again resonate with the British electorate.

A party that speaks clearly about cutting welfare spending, fixing our dependency ratio and population structure, and confronting quangos and bloated bureaucracy is a party that can win. This is the path to electoral victory—and the path to truly fixing our nation.

If we abandon a clear economic agenda and instead focus primarily on gender identity and culture wars, Reform UK will win. If we campaign on the NHS and social services, Labour will win. That doesn't mean we should ignore these issues—far from it. It's crucial that we speak confidently about social policy too. But we must be honest: it is only through a credible, coherent economic platform that we can return to government. Social issues matter, but they are not the route to victory.

Without demonstrating economic competence, sensibility, and intelligence, we will continue spiraling into irrelevance and will undoubtedly be crushed on all sides.

I urge Kemi Badenoch, Mel Stride, and other prominent party figures to make the case for capitalism and conservatism with clarity. Since Thatcher, we have lacked a strong voice that explains with clarity why capitalism is the fairer system and why it is neither viable nor sustainable for a government to base its economic policy on socialist principles. Today, arguments against capitalism are cutting through more effectively. It's crucial that Kemi and like-minded conservatives master the arguments for capitalism and conservatism, ensuring they rise above the socialist noise.

I struggle to envision a scenario where the majority of our country supports less government spending. We have European expectations when it comes to spending, but this must change. We need to communicate clearly to the electorate that higher spending is unsustainable and directly impacts taxpayers. While making this argument, we must explain why cutting welfare is in the working man's interest—because it allows him to keep more of what he earns. We must also make the case for aspiration and wealth. Increasing taxes on the wealthy will only drive the top 1%—who contribute a significant share of tax revenue—out of the country, leaving the working people to bear the burden of the lost tax revenue. As well as our tough talk on spending we must assure the electorate that we will always maintain a safety net for those who need it most.

A strong economic plan that prioritises fiscal responsibility, honesty, and clearly communicates the long-term goals of the government will be crucial in winning the next election and ultimately fixing our country.

An economic vision centred around the following policies will be key to fixing our country:

Welfare Reform: Targeted cuts to streamline the welfare system, eliminating inefficiencies and reducing unnecessary bureaucracy. This includes cutting back on quangos and reassessing benefits for conditions like mental health and ADHD. While this may seem harsh, it's crucial to address the reality that many individuals who could be working are not. We must ensure welfare reform is focused on efficiency, supporting those who need it most while encouraging self-sufficiency. This is where Conservatives can demonstrate their commitment to fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability.

Tax Reform: A tax system that incentivises business growth, fostering a healthy environment for small businesses and encouraging wealth creation. Tax policy should be designed to allow individuals at all income levels to keep more of their hard-earned money, empowering them to invest, save, and contribute to a thriving economy.

Public Sector Efficiency: A renewed commitment to leveraging new technology and innovative solutions to reduce waste and eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, while preserving and enhancing essential services such as healthcare and education.

Debt Reduction: By implementing stricter spending measures, we can redirect revenue towards reducing the national debt. This will relieve the UK from the crippling burden of ever-increasing interest payments in the long term. A strong focus on fiscal debt reduction will enable us to allocate government revenue where it's truly needed, instead of continually being weighed down by our growing debt. Additionally, we must introduce more robust fiscal rules to control borrowing and ensure long-term financial stability.

Deregulation: A true Conservative economic agenda would prioritize deregulation, allowing businesses to thrive by cutting red tape across multiple sectors. The UK must use its newfound freedoms post-Brexit to create an environment where entrepreneurship and innovation can flourish, driving economic growth in a way that Labour's interventions never could.

Our economy has stagnated painfully in recent years. A robust economic policy is the solution.

Fiscal conservatism is the cornerstone of economic growth. By lowering regulation and taxes, we create a healthier environment for wealth creation, which in turn drives economic expansion. A thriving business climate encourages entrepreneurship, job creation, and higher wages. Reducing government intervention and taxes enables companies to act as a powerful catalyst for growth.

By 'balancing the books' and addressing our growing national debt, the UK can avoid the crises seen in nations with poor fiscal management, like Greece during the 2010s Sovereign Debt Crisis. A fiscally responsible government will inspire market confidence, attracting investment. Entrepreneurs from Europe—where taxes are higher and regulation is more burdensome—will be drawn to the UK to establish businesses and create jobs. A strong economic policy grounded in a set of strong fiscally conservative principles will help ensure that the UK can weather future global economic storms.

And let's not forget: with a stronger economy, we will have more money to invest in critical sectors—healthcare, infrastructure, and defence. Growth isn't just a number; it's the foundation for national renewal.

The path to victory for the Conservatives lies in crafting a strong, coherent economic policy. But it's not just about the policy itself. I know Kemi has assembled a team for her policy renewal programme, and they must not only have a strong vision but also excel in their communication. Since she won the leadership election comparisons have emerged between Kemi and Margaret Thatcher — in tone, conviction, and the seriousness with which they approach politics. That comparison matters. We need someone who can once again articulate a sharp, principled case for capitalism and fiscal conservatism — not with bluster, but with clarity and moral force. Kemi knows this is the last chance—not just to save our party, but to save the very soul of our nation.

It is through a sound economic policy alone that our party can regain voter trust and rebuild our image as the party that is sound on money. We must offer the electorate a vision of aspiration, fairness, and hope.

We have all the tools necessary to put Britain back on the path to growth, stability, and global leadership. A strong Britain begins with a strong economy.

Let's bring back the days of economic competence. It's time for growth, it's time for the Conservatives to lead again.