‘She’s a star’: Henley-on-Thames gives warm welcome (mostly) to Kemi Badenoch

On a gloomy Saturday in the beautiful town of Henley-on-Thames, located about 40 miles from the cheers and supportive murmurs following Kemi Badenoch's win for party leadership, reports started to emerge about the new direction of the Conservative party.

Only three months ago, the Conservative Party faced a loss in this area to the Liberal Democrats, marking a significant change since Henley had consistently supported the Conservatives in every election since 1906.

However, if you look beyond the superficial yellow exterior, you'll find a solid blue concrete foundation underneath. This is an area with a strong Tory presence, typically adorned with festive decorations, and it has a rich history of conservative values. It's notable for having been represented by prominent figures like Boris Johnson and Michael Heseltine. The residents here are likely the target audience for Badenoch as the Conservative Party aims to regain control.

Do the residents of Henley-on-Thames believe that Badenoch can regain their support?

"I believe she will," remarked 71-year-old Andrew Collins, chair of the Henley and Thame Conservative Association. "Having elected the first black woman to lead any major political party in the West is a huge step forward for both the party and the nation overall."

As a member of the party, Collins supported Robert Jenrick for leadership, while he appreciated Badenoch’s traditional social values. “I really admire her views on excess political correctness,” he stated. “I believe her identity as a black woman will shield her from criticism regarding her opinions.”

Tracy Scott, the deputy chair of the Henley Conservatives, cast her vote for Jenrick, backing his plan to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights. However, she ultimately believed that Badenoch deserved to win. “She’s exceptional,” Scott remarked.

Until July, Henley was considered one of the most secure Conservative seats in the nation. However, the Liberal Democrats managed to defeat the Conservatives, reversing their 14,000 vote lead. Some of the Conservative voters who remain are worried that under Badenoch's leadership, the party might shift even more to the right.

"The only concern I have," remarked John Clark, 59, the owner of an electrical engineering firm with a workforce of 200, "is striking the right balance. Going too far in either direction doesn't yield positive results. We want to avoid shifting too far to the right. What we need is a balanced approach to politics that is practical and benefits everyone, rather than the language of extreme right-wing views."

When asked if he would continue to support the Conservative Party in a general election, Clark responded without thinking twice. “Definitely. You could put anyone, even Coco the clown, up there, and I would still vote for them.”

"I don't think they've swayed significantly," remarked Rod, 75, as he shared his belief that Henley-on-Thames will eventually return to the Conservative party. "It's still affluent and powerful, which is exactly what the Conservative party represents."

Roger Field, 79, a lifelong Conservative voter, had hoped the party would stick to its familiar tunes. “I support the Tories wholeheartedly, but honestly, I’m quite let down by them,” he remarked. “Let’s bring Boris back.”

He anticipated that the town would shift back to favoring the Conservatives, regardless of who was leading. "The Liberal Democrats seem unsure of their identity. All I can say is that I won't be growing a beard or wearing sandals."

Jane, 70, wasn't happy about the party shifting further to the right, but she felt a sense of relief with the outcome. "I wouldn't have picked either Badenoch or Jenrick. Jenrick is an awful person with terrible opinions. Of the two, I'm really glad he didn't come out on top."

For certain individuals, the party has forfeited their support and is unlikely to regain it in the near future. In Dave Potter's antique store, there is a sign that says, "Vote for Guy Fawkes: the only person to enter Parliament with genuine intentions." Potter strongly believes in this message.

"I don’t trust anyone," the 73-year-old expressed. "I have no confidence in either the Labour party or the Conservatives. That sign over there reflects my true feelings. I really don’t believe in the major parties. They’re all dishonest and deceitful, every single one of them."

Potter previously supported the Conservative party but has now thrown his support behind Nigel Farage and the Reform party. When asked if a far-right Conservative party would convince him to reconsider his stance in the next election, he shook his head. “I won’t change my mind, but I think the town might.”