Kemi Badenoch’s Right Wing Unpopulism

The Conservative party leader appears determined to search for voters that don't actually exist, while alienating whatever remaining support her dying party still has

There is a proven market in UK politics for right-wing populism. As Nigel Farage has shown, there are around 20-30% of British voters who are at least open to the idea of voting for a British version of Trump’s national populist politics.

Whether or not this is sufficient to actually form a Government remains to be seen. As I wrote here last week, I have real doubts about the ability of the Faragists to convert their current sizeable protest vote into a winning electoral coalition.

However, the path towards doing so clearly does exist - however narrow it might be.

But what there isn’t a clear market for is the increasingly bizarre electoral offer Kemi Badenoch is now presenting to the nation.

Here’s why.