‘New Margaret Thatcher’ faces formidable challenges

MUCH of the world’s attention is currently focused on the Nov 5 US presidential and congressional elections. Yet, Saturday (Nov 2) sees the lower-profile, but potentially consequential, internal UK Conservative ballot to elect a new leader and define the party’s future economic and political direction.

Polls indicate that the favourite is feisty, former secretary of state for business and trade Kemi Badenoch, seen by many Conservatives as a 21st-century Margaret Thatcher.

Yet, even if Badenoch scores a big victory on Saturday, she (or former secretary of state for housing, communities and local government Robert Jenrick, if he pulls off a surprise win) would defy recent history if either eventually becomes the next UK prime minister, surpassing Thatcher’s own achievement of winning power in 1979 after one term as opposition leader.