Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch launched a pointed attack on the governing Labour administration in a statement issued on Tuesday, asserting that its economic policies are actively contributing to the erosion of living standards for British households.
Speaking during a media briefing, Badenoch said: “Under the current government our citizens are getting poorer — not because of global events alone, but because this administration has chosen a tax, borrow and spend agenda instead of prioritising growth and opportunity.” While not specifying figures for November, she referenced recent data showing stagnation in real wages and rising inflation as indicators that many Britons are worse off.
In another comment posted on her social-media account, she wrote: “Labour-driven spending without growth will only make you poorer. It’s time for a change of direction.” The post echoed her longer-standing criticism of Labour’s approach to public finances, which she characterised as short-term populism rather than responsible economic stewardship.
Badenoch’s remarks come in the lead-up to a draft Conservative manifesto and reflect her broader strategy of positioning her party as the fiscal alternative to Labour’s administration. She stressed the urgency of reversing what she described as “sustained economic drift” and promised that were the Tories to return to power, they would prioritise policies to boost productivity, reduce taxes and restore household incomes.
Labour officials quickly responded, dismissing Badenoch’s remarks as political rhetoric lacking concrete evidence. A spokesperson for the Labour Party said: “Our government inherited the largest shock to the global economy in a century and is delivering for the British people with rising employment and investment. The Leader of the Opposition is simply trying to manufacture crisis.”
Economists say Badenoch’s critique taps into public anxiety over cost of living, with real wage growth still lagging behind inflation and household budgets under pressure. However, they also caution that attributing these trends solely to current government policy ignores global forces such as energy-price volatility and supply-chain disruptions, which began pre-dating Labour’s 2024 election victory.
With a general election expected within the next 18 months, Badenoch’s statement marks a sharpened tone from her leadership. By articulating a clear contrast with Labour’s economic record — centred around the claim of citizens becoming poorer — she is signalling that one of the key battlegrounds of the upcoming campaign will be the national household balance sheet.
