Former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has tipped Kemi Badenoch to win the next general election, praising her as “strong and aggressive”.
Speaking on GB News, Duncan Smith revealed he had been advising the new Shadow Cabinet on opposition tactics.
He expressed confidence in Badenoch’s potential, stating: “I think Kemi has that within her.”
The endorsement comes as Badenoch, the newly designated Conservative Party leader, unveiled her shadow cabinet.
She pledged to “win back the trust of the public” and promised a collaborative approach.
Duncan Smith compared Badenoch’s situation to that of Margaret Thatcher, who was initially deemed unelectable but went on to win a general election three years later.
Iain Duncan Smith has praised Kemi Badenoch following her Tory leadership victory
PA / GB News
The new shadow cabinet held its first meeting on Tuesday. Badenoch said: “Our party’s problems will only be solved with a team effort, and I am confident my shadow cabinet ministers will deliver effective opposition as we seek to win back the trust of the public.”
Duncan Smith offered advice to the Shadow Cabinet on effective opposition tactics. He emphasised the importance of holding the government to account, describing it as “The War of the Flea”.
“You have very little, but what you do have is knowing to strike when you’re least expected to, and to get them into difficulty, to split the Labour Party at some point,” he explained.
Duncan Smith stressed the need for the opposition to be on the front foot, challenging government decisions on issues like bans and tax increases.
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Kemi Badenoch has put together her shadow cabinet PA
He highlighted the current government’s low initial poll ratings, contrasting it with the Blair government he faced in opposition.
“This government only started at 33 per cent in the poll, which is pretty low. In fact, I think it’s the lowest ever,” Duncan Smith noted.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith also cautioned the government against excessive banning policies. Speaking on GB News, he urged careful consideration of public opinion before implementing bans.
“When you get into banning things, there has to be some pretty clear evidence that there is harm and that is what the public think,” Duncan Smith said.
He specifically addressed proposals to ban smoking in pub gardens and regulate vaping. The former Conservative leader called the pub garden ban “utter nonsense” due to it being in open air.
Duncan Smith said Badenoch is ‘strong and aggressive’
GB News
Regarding vaping, Duncan Smith acknowledged the variety of products available but emphasised the need for clear evidence of harm before imposing restrictions.
“When you get into banning things, there has to be some pretty clear evidence that there is harm and that is what the public think,” Duncan Smith said.
He specifically addressed proposals to ban smoking in pub gardens and regulate vaping. The former Conservative leader called the pub garden ban “utter nonsense” due to it being in open air.
Regarding vaping, Duncan Smith acknowledged the variety of products available but emphasised the need for clear evidence of harm before imposing restrictions.
“I would tread carefully, if I was the government,” he advised, reminding that the public are taxpayers and voters whose views should be taken into account.