Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called for greater protection and support for police officers and members of the public who intervene to prevent crime, arguing that fear of punishment is deterring people from doing the right thing. Speaking at the Police Federation conference in London, she criticised what she described as a culture of hounding those who act in good faith, from elderly veterans to officers attempting to uphold the law.
According to BBC News, Badenoch also attacked Labour for failing to send a minister to the conference for two consecutive years, contrasting this with her own commitment to backing the police. The prime minister's official deputy spokeswoman rejected the criticism, stating that police have the government's "full backing" and are benefitting from ongoing investment.
In her address to delegates, Badenoch outlined her concern that public confidence in law enforcement has been undermined by cases where officers and civilians faced legal consequences for their actions. She said:
"Too often these days, we fail to recognise sacrifice and service. Whether it's hounding brave and elderly veterans through the courts, hounding police officers who try to do the right thing, or even ordinary members of the public who step in to help only to find that they're in trouble themselves. It's no wonder the people in this country are becoming too scared to wade in, too scared to do the right thing. Well, I am different. I am not scared to wade in, and I am not scared to back the police."
Badenoch highlighted the cases of officers killed in the line of duty, including PCs Matthew Blades and Tom Clough, who died in the Cleveland A66 crash, and PC Andrew Harper, who was killed investigating a quad bike theft. She also referenced the prosecution of Sgt Matthew Blake, who shot 24-year-old Chris Kaba in 2022 after Kaba attempted to ram his way past police cars. Blake was tried for murder but acquitted, and Badenoch argued that
"his job was made harder because he didn't get the backing he deserved."
What did Badenoch say about police failures?
Beyond defending officers facing legal scrutiny, Badenoch acknowledged serious lapses in policing. According to the Belfast Telegraph, she said police failures in the case of Henry Nowak had left families suffering and contributed to a public perception of police as a "ghost service." Nowak, 18, was fatally stabbed in Southampton in December 2025; body-camera footage captured an officer doubting his claim that he had been stabbed. This acknowledgement of institutional failures balanced Badenoch's broader message about supporting officers who act in good faith.
What are the Conservatives' policing plans?
Badenoch outlined her party's commitment to strengthening law enforcement if returned to power. The Belfast Telegraph reported that the Conservatives have pledged to recruit 10,000 additional officers and deploy them to crime hotspots. However, when pressed on officer pay, Badenoch said she could not promise a "massive pay rise" on day one, citing the need for a plan to fund such increases sustainably.
The government has already begun addressing officer welfare. According to the Police Federation, the government announced £2.4 million for expanded officer trauma assistance, psychological risk assessments and confidential mental-health support.
Why did Badenoch criticise Labour's attendance?
Badenoch used her platform to attack the Labour Government's engagement with policing matters. She said:
"I think it is telling that for two years in a row, the Labour Government has not sent anyone to address this conference – not the policing minister, not the Home Secretary. You are the ones who enforce the law. You are the ones who ensure there are consequences for bad behaviour. That's why, if we want law and order back in our country, back on our streets, we need to back the police."
The prime minister's official deputy spokeswoman disputed this characterisation, responding:
"I would reject those claims. The police have the government's full backing and as you will have seen from various reports this morning, we are continuing to invest in our police and we are bringing forward reforms following the Bernard Hogan Howe report in due course."The BBC has contacted the Home Office for further comment on ministerial attendance at the conference and the government's plans to recruit 13,000 police officers.
What is the context of the conference?
Badenoch's speech took place against the backdrop of significant concerns within the police service about officer welfare and public confidence. The Police Federation conference's theme was "The Real State of Policing"; acting deputy national chair Paul Williams described an "unsustainable workforce" and called for reforms that improve officers' working lives. The conference also addressed the government's earlier decision to change its position on early release of prisoners after backlash over the eligibility of Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, convicted of PC Andrew Harper's manslaughter; the government said people convicted of unlawful killing would be excluded from the scheme.
What happens next?
The two-day Police Federation conference was scheduled to continue on 22 October 2026, with additional keynote sessions featuring senior politicians. Badenoch's appearance underscored the Conservative Party's positioning on law and order ahead of potential electoral contests, with her message emphasising the need to restore public and police confidence in the justice system.
