Tories recreate Bayeux Tapestry with Badenoch

The Conservative Party's publicity team created an eighty-seven foot reworking of the Bayeux Tapestry for their Birmingham conference, placing leader Kemi Badenoch in the role of Harold Godwinson.

The symbolism is ominous

Harold Godwinson was defeated by William the Conqueror after being forced to fight on two fronts. He was also betrayed by his brother Tostig, who supported a rival claim to the throne.

Badenoch faces her own Tostig

Failed leadership rival Robert Jenrick joined Nigel Farage and Reform UK after not getting the job he wanted, mirroring Tostig's betrayal. The Conservatives now fight on two fronts.

Fighting Reform and Labour simultaneously

The Conservatives battle Reform in previously safe seats in East Anglia, Essex, Kent, the Midlands, north west and north east, while fighting Labour and the Lib Dems in the south west, Surrey, Sussex, London and home counties.

Polling gains are minimal

Despite Badenoch polling well personally, the Conservatives have barely moved in the polls since her autumn conference in Manchester in two thousand twenty-five. Polling ranges from seventeen percent to twenty-two percent, within the margin of error.

Reform's collapse hasn't helped Tories

Reform's support has collapsed by about ten points in the polls, but very little of that support has returned to the Conservatives, who remain more than five points below where they were when Badenoch became leader in two thousand twenty-four.

Senior Tories urge patience

Sir James Cleverly compared Badenoch to William Hague, who gained just two seats in the two thousand one election despite working hard and being popular. He said the party must focus on credible policy alternatives.

“He and I were discussing, actually, how effectively Kemi has set about repairing the party's reputation.”

Brexit polling shows deep trouble

Best for Britain polling shows only four constituencies do not have a majority which thinks Brexit was a mistake. Badenoch's advisors prefer she avoids the issue, as it aligns more with Nigel Farage's identity than hers.

Badenoch's cabinet choices signal retreat

Badenoch replaced hard Brexiteer Dame Priti Patel with former Remainer Tom Tugendhat, indicating she wants to move past Brexit. She was not an MP during the referendum and never publicly chose a side.

Labour reopens the EU question

Labour prime minister Andy Burnham has put rejoining the EU back on the table. Joy Morrissey criticised his conference speech on Brexit, saying he ignored voters' Leave decision in his own Makerfield constituency.

“He said we're probably going to go back into the EU, even though all of you voted, including in his own constituency, to Leave.”

Brexit could be Badenoch's fatal weakness

Just as William the Conqueror defeated Harold at Hastings, a desire among voters to reconnect with the European Union could undo Badenoch's hopes of winning the next election. Brexit could be her arrow in the eye.

“Brexit could actually end up being Ms Badenoch's arrow in the eye.”