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Hello and welcome to Coffee House Shots, The Spectator Politics Podcast. I'm Oscar Genson. I'm joined

today by Katie Balls and Paul Goodman. Now, we are approaching the end of the year, which is, of course, a time for reflection.

So on this podcast, we thought we'd take stock of the Conservative Party and their position at the end of

2024 under new leader, Kemi Badernock.

Katie, how do you think she's settled in so far?

So she's a little over a month in.

I think there was an interesting poll recently, which suggested that the public had not yet convinced she looks like a prime minister in waiting.

And at a similar point for Kirstama's leadership, he was further ahead on this question.

So you can argue it's too early to tell in lots of ways and I think that is correct.

There are a few metrics to suggest that she is not where you might want to be in some places,

such as do you look like a future prime minister, which is always quite a key metric in general elections.

That said, general intention polling at the moment where Labour are often second, sometimes

even third, and the Tories often first. You know, they're not huge margins, we're talking about

a couple of points here or there, but there's definitely a better position for the Tories to be in

than not be in. I think,

you know, it was Rishi Sunax last day in office where finally he got his one point lead over

Labour. He could have done a little bit sooner, maybe during the general election. But they got there.

And I think you can safely say, Kimmy Badenock has not made that Yes. Now, we can have the debate as to oppositions don't win,

elections, governments lose them,

...