Kemi Badenoch Sees Argentina’s Milei as Blueprint for UK Government

Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch has positioned Argentina’s libertarian president, Javier Milei, as an inspiration for a future Conservative government, arguing Britain must be equally bold in cutting public spending and red tape.

A Conservative ‘Shock Therapy’ Blueprint

Badenoch told reporters on the campaign trail that Milei’s aggressive push to shrink the Argentine state offers a playbook for restoring UK growth. She praised his swift cuts to quangos and simplified tax code, saying Britain’s competitiveness depends on similar deregulation.

Promise of Long-Term Gains

Supporters inside the Tory ranks claim Milei’s reforms could unlock investment and lift productivity—even if they trigger short-term pain. Badenoch insists that “de-risking business” means getting government out of the way and trusting markets to drive prosperity.

Critics Warn of Economic Turbulence

Labour and independent economists counter that Milei’s austerity has fuelled protests and sent inflation spiralling above 200 percent—hardly a model for stability. They argue Badenoch is betting on untested ideology at a precarious moment for UK households.

Election Stakes

With polls predicting a change of government, Badenoch’s comments draw a clear dividing line: Conservatives embracing radical cuts versus opposition parties favouring targeted investment. Her stance may excite the party base, but risks alienating voters fearful of deeper austerity.

Why it matters:

Badenoch’s praise for Milei signals that Britain’s economic debate is shifting toward extreme solutions—raising the stakes of the coming election for businesses and families alike.