Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Watch the full conversation at spectator.com/kemi
For the first interview in the new live event series, Tim Shipman Meets the Party Leaders, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch joins The Spectator at a pivotal moment in her leadership — the aftermath of the 7 May local elections.
In this exclusive and in-depth conversation, Tim Shipman explores Badenoch’s vision for the future of the Conservative Party, her key policy priorities and her strategy for rebuilding the party after electoral setbacks. They discuss the shortcomings of net zero policies, why Badenoch controversially says she "respects" Rupert Lowe, her defence of the triple lock and her assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of her own shadow cabinet. She also explains why she believes a Conservative–Reform pact is entirely out of the question.
Towards the end of the interview, the conversation turns to her personal interests, including her taste in art, film and music.
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Watch the full conversation at spectator.com/kemi
For the first interview in the new live event series, Tim Shipman Meets the Party Leaders, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch joins The Spectator at a pivotal moment in her leadership — the aftermath of the 7 May local elections.
In this exclusive and in-depth conversation, Tim Shipman explores Badenoch’s vision for the future of the Conservative Party, her key policy priorities and her strategy for rebuilding the party after electoral setbacks. They discuss the shortcomings of net zero policies, why Badenoch controversially says she "respects" Rupert Lowe, her defence of the triple lock and her assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of her own shadow cabinet. She also explains why she believes a Conservative–Reform pact is entirely out of the question.
Towards the end of the interview, the conversation turns to her personal interests, including her taste in art, film and music.
// SUBSCRIBE TO THE SPECTATOR
Get 12 issues for £12, plus a free £20 John Lewis/Waitrose voucher
spectator.co.uk/tvoffer
// FREE PODCASTS FROM THE SPECTATOR
Hear more from The Spectator's journalists on their podcasts, covering everything from the politics of the UK, US and China, to religion, literature, lifestyle and more.
spectator.co.uk/podcasts
// FOLLOW US
twitter.com/spectator
facebook.com/OfficialSpectator
linkedin.com/company/the-spectator
instagram.com/spectator1828
tiktok.com/@thespectatormagazine
