Tories want Kemi Bedenoch to take inspiration from chainsaw-loving president

Kemi Badenoch could take inspiration from radical figures including the chainsaw-wielding president of Argentina, according to a think tank dedicated to making the most of Brexit. A new report points to the likes of Argentina's Javier Milei and Canadian Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre among potential role models for an "adrift" Tory party.

Mr Milei brandished a chainsaw on the campaign trail to signal his determination to cut government spending. The self-styled "anarcho-capitalist" has since given billionaire Elon Musk - who is overseeing sweeping cuts to programmes in the United States - a chainsaw engraved with the words 'Viva la libertad, carajo', which translates to 'Long live liberty, damn it'.

Lee Rotherham, a veteran of the 2016 Vote Leave campaign who is now director of the Red Cell think tank, insists that "democratic radicalism is popular".

Pushing for a similar spirit in the Conservative party, he writes: "Politicians who acknowledge problems rather than hide them, spokesmen who come up with ideas to fix failures rather than cover them up - these are fresh concepts to many members of the public.

"Voters aren't stupid. They can see that systems are broken, not least the management of immigration and making criminals pay."

Report co-author Ian Bettles writes: "The UK is not about to dance with anarcho-capitalism, but there is a growing sense that the status quo on economic policy is broken, and that tinkering with tax bands, planning reform and national insurance contributions simply won't cut it. Through that lens the radicalism of Milei, and the determination to arrest decline even if it means sacrifices resulting from a short-term shock, is worth examining more closely."

The report also points to Canada's Pierre Poilievre, whose Conservative party looked on course to win Monday's election until the race was transformed by the resignation of Pierre Trudeau as prime minister and President Trump hitting the nation with an array of tariffs.

Co-author Jake Thrupp writes: "His rise is not only significant in the Canadian context but offers compelling lessons for the Conservative party here in the UK, which still finds itself bruised and directionless. What sets Poilievre apart is his brand of conservatism: populist in tone, yet polished in delivery.

"He has tapped into widespread discontent over the cost of living, housing affordability, and the bloated public sector, without veering into the rhetoric of his American counterparts."

Conservative MP Jack Rankin welcomed the report, saying: "The paper shows a country that faces great problems needs the statesman to match. The Conservative party will need to adopt robust and bold policies. The public won't put up with half measures."