George Osborne has advised the Conservative Party to “talk less” about cultural issues such as “transgender toilets” and talk more about the economy.
The former chancellor said that the Tories “could be on to something” if they pursued this approach.
Osborne, who served as chancellor during David Cameron’s tenure as prime minister, also commented that Kemi Badenoch has “got a better chance than anyone else” of being leader of the Conservatives at the next general election.
Speaking to LBC on Monday evening, he warned that “chasing Nigel Farage’s tail” will not work for the Conservative Party, noting “if you want Nigel Farage, why not have Nigel Farage?”.
Asked about the latest YouGov/Sky News polling that has the Tories on 17 per cent, Osborne responded that he does not believe the “hype” that Britain has seen the end of the old Labour-Conservative two-party system.
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He said: “The task facing Kemi Badenoch and the shadow cabinet is historically huge, even though this Labour government has not made such a strong start, and so I have some sympathy with the position they’re in.
“I don’t personally think chasing Nigel Farage’s tail is going to work, and if you want Nigel Farage, why not have Nigel Farage? I think the ten-year trend inside the Conservative movement of trying to copy the Brexit Party or the UKIP Party or now the Reform party has not really worked.”
Osborne added: “There’s a big space at the moment in British politics for someone who’s got a plan to grow the British economy, which strikes me as the main concern for most of the public.
“So, if we spoke a little bit less about transgender toilets and a bit more about taxes, then we might be on to something. No Conservative opposition in my lifetime has got back without winning back credibility on the economy and making that the central offer at the election.”
Osborne was asked if the Conservative Party is making a mistake in seizing so forcefully on “culture war” talking points.
He commented: “I think it’s certainly the case that Kemi Badenoch made a reputation for herself and speaks very effectively and with passion on culture war issues, transgender rights and the like. But that’s what helps you when you are the rising star. I don’t think it sustains you as a risen star.
“I think to be the leader of the opposition, you have to be someone who offers the country a credible economic plan, and there is a bit of a gap in the market. No one at the moment has got a plan that certainly has convinced the public is going to grow the British economy.”
Asked whether he believes Badenoch will be leader of the Conservatives at the next general election, Osborne replied “‘I think she’s got a better chance than anyone else, not least because she’s in the post, and I don’t think anyone really thinks switching leader is the solution to the problem.”
On his reservations about a Farage-Conservative alliance, the former chancellor added: “I would have quite a lot of reservations… I’m verging on no. But I certainly would not vote for Reform.
“My politics is on the centre right, but the centre bit is as important as the right.”
Responding to the former chancellor’s comments, a Labour spokesperson said: “George Osborne says out loud what other Tories are thinking: Kemi Badenoch’s Conservative Party has no plan for our country. She is more concerned about fighting with Nigel Farage than fighting for working people.
“Labour is delivering our plan for change. The Tories haven’t listened and they haven’t learned.”
Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here.
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