Holding Reform to Account: Why a Principled Conservative Future Matters

Published: 03 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

Kemi Badenoch’s announcement on the eve of the Conservative Party conference that the Tories would repeal the 2008 Climate Change Act marks a bold political manoeuvre, one that could signal a turning point in the party’s approach to governance. By proposing to scrap legislation widely associated with net-zero commitments, Badenoch positions the Conservatives as a potential counterbalance to Reform UK, presenting a vision of Britain’s future that is at once economically focused and strategically assertive. It raises the question: can the Conservatives refashion themselves as a Thatcherite-style pressure party, offering a credible alternative to the growing influence of Reform?

In her pre-conference briefing, Badenoch laid out a detailed critique of the economic and social impact of climate legislation on ordinary citizens. Her analysis, which highlighted the effect of net-zero policies on household energy bills and industrial competitiveness, reflects both her conviction and her willingness to tackle politically sensitive issues head-on. While some of her colleagues may view this approach as controversial, it demonstrates a principled commitment to economic realism and to scrutinising legislation for its broader impact on British life.

From an environmental standpoint, the Climate Change Act of 2008 has achieved substantial reductions in domestic greenhouse gas emissions over the past 17 years. Emissions have fallen by 35 percent, yet the nature of these reductions has largely been incremental, driven more by the natural evolution of industrial processes than by transformative policy. The decarbonisation of the power sector and the outsourcing of heavy industry, for example, merely accelerated trends that were already underway. Renewable energy sources, while contributing to emission reductions, relied heavily on the presence of fossil fuel infrastructure to provide reliable baseload power. On the global stage, the UK’s contributions to climate mitigation are negligible, raising questions about whether the act has had any meaningful impact on global carbon levels.

Domestically, the legislation has had notable economic consequences. The cost of subsidies for wind and solar power has been passed onto households, disproportionately affecting low-income families. Industry, too, has faced elevated electricity costs, contributing to the ongoing deindustrialisation of the country. These outcomes highlight the tension between environmental ambitions and economic realities, and they provide the backdrop for Badenoch’s policy proposals.

Politically, the Conservative strategy under Badenoch appears calculated to draw a clear line between themselves and Labour’s environmental agenda. By targeting the Climate Change Act, the party is signalling that it is prepared to challenge what it sees as the impracticalities of Labour’s eco-policies while presenting itself as a party committed to economic pragmatism. This positioning could also exert pressure on Labour to moderate its stance, framing the Conservatives as a disciplined, credible alternative capable of influencing national policy debates.

While full repeal of net-zero targets remains unlikely in the short term, scrapping specific initiatives, such as wind subsidies, could provide tangible relief for households. Even this step, however, would necessitate careful policy recalibration to meet decarbonisation goals. Potential alternatives—such as increased taxation on petrol or accelerated adoption of heat pumps—underscore the complex balancing act the Conservatives face between economic relief and environmental compliance. The party’s approach suggests a willingness to engage with the realities of trade-offs rather than relying on abstract commitments.

The broader context for Badenoch’s interventions lies in the ongoing competition with Reform UK. While Nigel Farage’s party has attracted attention for its uncompromising stance on net-zero, their policy claims have occasionally lacked precision. Reform’s assertion that cancelling wind subsidy contracts could reduce household bills by £1,000 per year, for instance, is at odds with official figures that place the actual cost at around £859. By offering a more measured, evidence-based critique, the Conservatives aim to position themselves as the more responsible centre-right alternative, capable of delivering practical solutions rather than populist rhetoric.

Beyond environmental policy, Badenoch’s vision aligns with a broader economic agenda aimed at reducing regulatory burdens and stimulating growth. While Reform has highlighted potential income tax cuts, the Conservatives could go further by considering reductions in corporation tax, VAT, and capital gains tax. At the same time, they could adopt prudent fiscal measures to maintain social safety nets, positioning themselves as both economically ambitious and socially responsible. This approach may also include a commitment to preserving the UK’s flexible labour market, currently threatened by proposed employment legislation under Labour. Repealing restrictive regulations would be consistent with a free-market, pro-growth Conservative philosophy.

The historical precedent for such a strategy can be found in the right-wing pressure campaigns of the past, particularly those that led to the EU membership referendum. By leveraging tactics used previously by challenger parties, the Conservatives could use the current political landscape to assert influence on economic and regulatory matters, ensuring that Reform is held accountable for both promises and policy feasibility.

Reform UK’s drift toward left-leaning economic positions presents an additional opportunity for the Conservatives. While Nigel Farage espouses broadly Thatcherite principles, the party’s support for partial nationalisation of utilities and proposals to scrap the child benefit cap reflect a willingness to embrace interventionist policies. For the Tories, this contrast allows them to present themselves as the party of disciplined, market-oriented governance, appealing to voters concerned with both economic efficiency and fairness. Red Wall voters who have gravitated toward Reform may be swayed by a Conservative platform that promises growth without excessive state intervention, and that is rooted in pragmatic, evidence-based policy.

Ultimately, Badenoch’s approach is about clarity, conviction, and positioning. By openly acknowledging the limitations of government intervention and articulating the trade-offs inherent in policy decisions, she is framing the Conservatives as a party willing to engage honestly with the electorate. While her proposals may initially appear cautious or incremental, they provide a foundation for a more ambitious, long-term vision of governance—a vision that could revive the party’s appeal in an era marked by regulatory overreach, industrial decline, and rising inequality.

The Conservative challenge now is to translate this policy clarity into a compelling narrative for voters. While a full-scale political comeback may be unrealistic in the immediate term, there is scope for a partial resurgence, rooted in credibility, pragmatism, and a commitment to holding Reform to account. Badenoch’s efforts to reshape the party’s economic and environmental stance demonstrate that the Conservatives are capable of responding to the evolving political landscape, asserting leadership, and defining a centre-right identity that is both principled and strategically effective.

In this context, the question facing the Conservatives is not merely whether they can survive the current political turbulence, but whether they can reclaim a role as the nation’s party of responsible reform. By championing policies grounded in evidence, prioritising economic resilience, and challenging the excesses of emerging competitors, they may yet secure a meaningful place in Britain’s political future. For now, Badenoch’s interventions at the party conference signal a willingness to engage decisively and honestly—a critical first step in any effort to revitalise the Conservative brand and offer voters a credible alternative to the promises and pitfalls of challenger parties.