Kemi Badenoch Eyes Argentina’s Milei As Blueprint For Bold UK Reforms

Leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has voiced strong admiration for Argentina’s President Javier Milei, declaring him a model for the kind of radical change she envisions for Britain.

In an interview with The Financial Times, Badenoch praised Milei’s no-nonsense style, his brutal honesty with voters, and his bold drive to slash the size of Argentina’s state. She described him as "the template" for what her leadership would look like.

“Yes and yes,” Badenoch replied when asked if Britain needed its own Milei — and whether she saw herself in that role.

Milei gained international attention during Argentina’s 2023 election campaign, where he famously brandished a chainsaw to symbolize his vow to cut government spending. Badenoch, facing pressure as the Tories trail in third place in national polls, appears to be embracing a similarly disruptive message.

She emphasized that the Conservative Party must move away from being “a repository for disenchantment” and instead offer genuine hope — something she believes distinguishes them from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, which she accused of draining public attention and “stealing everyone’s oxygen.”

Still, she admitted that the British public has not yet forgiven the Conservatives for the turmoil of recent years.

Badenoch took a swipe at Farage, suggesting that people will eventually grow tired of his “bullshitting,” and even argued that Reform UK is now positioning itself to the left of the Conservatives on issues like welfare and benefits.

Outlining her policy vision, Badenoch said she isn’t simply looking to cut parts of the state, but to deeply evaluate what government does and why. “It’s not about cutting bits of the state,” she said, “but understanding its purpose and function.”

Amid speculation of a potential leadership challenge from within her party, Badenoch shrugged off the rumours.

“I can’t spend all my time worrying about regicide. I would lose my mind,” she said. “I’m so thick-skinned I don’t even notice when people are trying to cause harm. That’s extremely useful in this job.”