Mindful of Margaret Thatcher’s belief that “…if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left.” I do think Mrs Badenoch’s problems are personal. She is a very inexperienced politician who hasn’t learned the dark arts, and she doesn’t seem to realise it.
Thatcher had a voice coach to modify her rather phoney accent which sounded like she’d tried hard to leave Grantham, and overcompensated. Badenoch’s way of speaking is similarly odd. She has described herself as “to all intents and purposes a first-generation immigrant” though more recently she has played down her solidly Nigerian background – certainly her way of speaking shows no sign of it.
Badenoch’s achievements are considerable and admirable but they are entirely personal and driven, not political. Her views are off the shelf Centre-Right (more Right than Centre) and I cannot recall that she’s ever said anything original or interesting.
As she herself acknowledges Badenoch’s identity is unconventional for a British politician (as was that of her predecessor). But unlike Sunak she seems unable to persuade that in a multicultural society coming from left field can be turned into an advantage. She is also, in public anyway, utterly humourless. When the Prime Minister is not a barrel of laughs it’s a shame her manner is full of snide not sparkle.
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