100 days of Badenoch Conservative anxiety grows as leader fights shy of the media slog

Today marks 100 days since Kemi Badenoch became the leader of a demoralised rump of 121 Conservative MPs.

- Peter Walker Eleni Courea Kiran Stacey

Today marks 100 days since Kemi Badenoch became the leader of a demoralised rump of 121 Conservative MPs. So, at this traditional moment for gauging initial success, how well is she doing? It depends on how you measure it. "What you have to remember is that for the first 18 or so months after you lose an election, especially as badly as we did, no one cares what you do," one Tory MP said. "From that point of view, Kemi's caution in not rushing into policies makes sense. No one is listening yet. She has time."

This is a key point. For all that the Tories are trailing behind Reform UK and Labour in the polls, there is not yet open panic. But there are definitely worries. Some centre on strategy - for example, whether Badenoch is capable of devising a suite of policies to see off Nigel Farage. Others focus on the party machine, the leader's inner circle, and Badenoch herself.

A common complaint is that Badenoch appears to view media duties as a chore and a challenge, often sending out shadow cabinet colleagues in her place. "Kemi absolutely hates doing media. She does not see it as an integral part of her job," one former adviser said. "We could get away with that in government but in opposition you have to turn up to the opening of an envelope. She should be trying to get clips on the news every night.