Tories gain three poll points after Badenoch’s conference speech
The Conservatives gained three points in an Opinium poll after Kemi Badenoch’s party conference speech, which included a pledge to cut inheritance tax. The result suggests the speech may have improved the party’s standing, while renewed speculation about an early general election has prompted the Tories to prepare for a campaign.
Labour remained ahead on 29 per cent, with Reform on 23 per cent after a two-point fall and the Conservatives gaining ground; the article gives no new Conservative vote-share figure. Electoral Calculus estimates those shares could translate into 336 Labour MPs, 114 Conservatives and 105 Reform MPs, though individual-seat projections are volatile. A third of respondents viewed Badenoch’s speech positively, 14 per cent negatively and 54 per cent had no clear view.
- The Conservatives rose three points after Badenoch’s conference speech.
- Labour remained ahead on 29 per cent, with Reform at 23 per cent.
- Tories say they are preparing for an election at any point.
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Britain has three main political parties: Labour, the Conservatives and Reform UK. The Conservatives are led by Kemi Badenoch and are the main opposition to Labour, which leads significantly in opinion polls.
Badenoch recently gave a speech at the Conservative party conference pledging to cut inheritance tax, which is paid on wealth passed to relatives after death. Opinion polls taken afterwards showed the Conservatives gained three percentage points in public support, suggesting the speech may have improved how voters view the party.
The Conservatives face competition from Reform UK, a newer party that has attracted many right-leaning voters. As the party prepares for a possible election campaign, improving their public support is important to narrow the gap with Labour.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The Conservatives' inheritance tax pledge offers clear, substantive policy that demonstrates party leadership under Badenoch. The polling gains combined with one-third viewing the speech positively suggest this approach is successfully reconnecting with voters who genuinely care about inheritance issues and family assets. This kind of concrete policy-making is exactly what the party needs to credibly challenge Labour.
The case against
The inheritance tax pledge risks confirming perceptions that Conservatives prioritise the wealthy's concerns over ordinary voters' cost-of-living struggles. With 54 per cent having no clear reaction and Reform maintaining strong support, the policy's limited traction suggests the Conservatives have misjudged voter priorities during economic strain. Modest poll gains from a tax cut favouring asset owners, whilst Labour leads substantially, indicates the party remains disconnected from what most families actually care about.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Kemi Badenoch scores poll bounce from Tory conference after vow to slash inheritance tax… as snap election fever grips Westminster”.