Kemi Badenoch must do 3 things now - if she does Nigel Farage won't look so smug
Conservative councillor Mieka Smiles has compiled a to-do list for the Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, following two high-profile Tory defections.
I run my life by a to-do list. Whenever I feel that creeping sense of overwhelm, I take a blank piece of paper and write down - with a freshly sharpened pencil - all of the things that I have to get through. Then, one by one, I tick things off. Progress is made. Control is restored.
As a councillor, journalist and mum of two, this tactic hasn’t just helped me survive. It has crystallised the absolute necessity of having a plan.
When I was first elected seven years ago, as deputy mayor, I wish I’d pushed harder for this kind of disciplined approach in local Government: a short list of two or three priorities that must be delivered, whatever crazy challenge lands in your lap.
So, in the spirit of the humble to-do list, I thought I would offer Kemi Badenoch a modest couple of suggestions for hers, following the defection of Robert Jenrick, who, despite my disappointment in regards to his integrity, was a real force within the Conservative Party. And now there's another high-profile - although not wholly shocking - defection in Suella Braverman.
Read more: 'What's being done to dogs in the UK is crazy - it shouldn't still be legal'
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I’m sure she’s waiting with bated breath to hear from a random Middlesbrough councillor on how she should steer the party! But I reckon my thoughts are pretty typical of any Red Wall voter who helped Boris soar to unprecedented victory in 2019. So here goes.
1. Step outside Westminster
Levelling up was key to towns like ours after years of Labour complacency. Reviving town centres, ridding them of a plague of shoplifting parasites, supporting pubs and shops and putting any Government heft behind major job creators.
Despite his trouble remaining loyal, Jenrick did show he understood towns like mine. It’d be foolish to ditch us now.
2. Clear blue water - literally
Reform seems chuffed that they are attracting power-hungry MPs from both sides of the political divide. But this is not sustainable - or, actually, desirable. They can’t please everyone.
So let’s double down on what we actually believe in: personal responsibility, fairness and working hard. We need to get a lazy chunk of Britain off the sofa and give the benefit bludgers a kick up the behind.
We believe in a safety net, of course, but that’s not healthy long term - for the nation or, in fact, for anyone.
3. Grown-up decency
At the top of any politician's to-do list should be finally cracking migration, which has us creaking at the seams. I admire Nigel Farage’s will to finally fix it.
But I think there’s also something to be said about just making sure that we are the grown-ups in the room, that people trust and respect. Not a one-issue party reliant on rage.
Zia Yusuf, the party’s head of policy, recently slammed opposing politicians who are polite to each other in TV green rooms, calling them “Britain-hating traitors”.
Come on. Real leadership isn’t about performative outrage - it’s about discipline, delivery and getting things done.
