Conservative leader pledges Equality Act overhaul to court Reform voters
The Conservative Party leader has vowed to scrap the legal requirement for public institutions to consider equality impacts, a move widely interpreted as an attempt to reclaim support from the Reform Party.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has announced a pledge to reform the Equality Act, with a specific focus on abolishing the public sector equality duty. The proposal seeks to remove the statutory obligation that requires public institutions to actively consider how their decisions impact equality and to eliminate discrimination.
Badenoch, who previously served as equalities minister between 2020 and 2022, framed the initiative as a necessary adjustment to the current legislative framework. The public sector equality duty currently mandates that public bodies have due regard to the need to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between persons with and without relevant protected characteristics.
Political observers have interpreted the announcement as a strategic effort to regain support from voters who have defected to the Reform Party. By targeting a policy often associated with institutional regulation, Badenoch aims to address concerns regarding the scope of public sector obligations, although the primary stated objective remains the removal of the specific legal duty.
The move highlights the ongoing competition for the Conservative Party’s traditional voter base, particularly among those who have shifted their allegiance to the Reform Party. Badenoch’s previous tenure in the equalities portfolio provides context for her current policy direction, suggesting a deliberate recalibration of the party’s stance on governance and institutional accountability.
While the policy shift is presented as a reform of the Equality Act, its political implications are significant. The attempt to win back Reform supporters underscores the challenges facing the Conservative leadership in consolidating its position amid a fragmented political landscape.
The Guardian Politics has reported on the details of the pledge, noting the specific focus on the public sector equality duty. The outcome of this strategy in actually regaining voter support remains to be seen, as it is currently viewed as an attempt rather than a verified outcome.
Badenoch’s proposal marks a distinct departure from the previous administration’s approach to equality legislation. By seeking to dismantle the public sector equality duty, the Conservative leader is signalling a shift towards a more limited view of institutional responsibility in matters of equality.
