In this special finale to our Anthropy mini-series, we share the keynote speech from The Right Honourable Kemi Badenoch MP, Leader of the Conservative Party, followed by audience reactions and analysis. This unique episode provides insight into current political thinking on sustainability, business, and growth - including Badenoch's controversial comments questioning the UK's 2050 net zero targets and her perspective on "green jobs." After the speech, we gather reactions from business leaders attending Anthropy, including Ben Tolhurst from Business Declares, Alex Barker from Be More Pirate, and Joe Turnball from Bull & Wolf, who offer critical analysis of the speech and discuss its implications for sustainability efforts.

🎯 Key Speech Points

1. Business climate and bureaucracy concerns

• Criticism of excessive regulation and bureaucracy hampering business growth
• Call for focus on "real" productivity rather than "profiting from bureaucracy"
• Concern about rising tax burdens (reaching "70-year high") and regulatory costs
• Distinction between "real business" and what she termed the "business industry"

2. Challenge to Net Zero 2050 target

• Questioning of the 2050 net zero target as arbitrary and lacking a substantive plan
• Claim that decarbonisation efforts are contributing to de-industrialisation
• Assertion that businesses are struggling to meet transition demands without sufficient support
• Commitment to develop "a new plan that actually works" (though specifics were not provided)

3. Vision for national renewal

• Call for a renewed sense of national confidence and shared identity
• Focus on restoring the "social value of business and enterprise"
• Emphasis on a "virtuous circle" where business powers government
• Concern about young people becoming disillusioned and leaving the country

4. Position on government's role

• View that government should focus on core functions like defence and security
• Skepticism about government's role in creating growth or happiness
• Commitment to large-scale policy renewal for the Conservative Party
• Call for business to shape future policy direction

🎯 Key Reactions & Analysis

1. Ben Tolhurst (Business Declares)

• Highlighted the contradiction in Badenoch's growth narrative
• Emphasised the impossibility of decoupling economic growth from environmental extraction
• Challenged the "fallacy of green growth" and questioned the carbon budget implications
• Agreed with questioning the 2050 target's practicality but for different reasons

2. Alex Barker (Be More Pirate)

• Observed a disconnect between the speech and workforce realities
• Noted the omission of wealth inequality and environmental concerns until questioned
• Questioned the authenticity of the speech and its generalised approach
• Appreciated the willingness to engage but found the vision lacking

3. Joe Turnball (Bull & Wolf)

• Found the speech initially relatable but increasingly disconnected from the audience
• Objected to the characterisation of green jobs as "not real jobs"
• Noted the contradiction with previous Conservative policy on green jobs
• Questioned whether challenging questions were allowed

⚡ Contextual Points to Consider

1. Political positioning shift

• The speech represents a break from previous Conservative Party position on net zero
• Contrasts with positions of other political parties and international commitments
• Signals potential policy changes should the Conservatives return to power

2. Business community response

• Mixed reactions from the business audience at Anthropy
• Tension between welcoming dialogue and disagreeing with content
• Questions about whether sustainability commitments are being weakened

3. Evidence and planning questions

• Debate over whether targets should lead planning or plans should determine targets
• Questions about government's role in enabling sustainability transitions
• Concerns about UK competitiveness in green industries and technologies

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👫 Credits

• Hosts: Will Richardson, Charlie Luxton
• Production: Soundquake
• Exec-Producer: Sam Hamilton-Turner
• Producer: Jake Lee-Savage

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