Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, pledged to reform the Equality Act and eliminate the public sector equality duty in an effort to reclaim voters who have defected to Reform UK. Badenoch, who previously served as equalities minister from 2020 to 2022, targets a legal requirement that mandates public institutions actively assess how their decisions affect equality across race, gender, disability, and other protected characteristics.

The proposal represents a direct appeal to Reform voters frustrated with what they perceive as excessive focus on equality initiatives. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has captured significant Conservative support by positioning itself against what it calls "woke" policies and identity politics. Recent polling shows Reform has gained ground among traditionally Conservative working-class voters concerned about immigration, cultural change, and public spending priorities.

Scrapping the public sector equality duty would eliminate obligations for schools, hospitals, local councils, and other government bodies to publish equality impact assessments or demonstrate how they promote fairness across different groups. The duty, introduced under the Equality Act 2010, requires public sector organizations to go beyond passive non-discrimination to actively prevent inequality.

Civil rights groups argue the duty has driven meaningful change in hiring practices, service delivery, and institutional accountability. Removing it would reduce transparency requirements and loosen oversight of how public institutions treat vulnerable populations.

Badenoch's repositioning on equality issues signals the Conservative Party's rightward shift as it competes for voters lost to Reform. The Tories have trailed Labour significantly in polling since their election loss, and Badenoch's leadership has emphasized opposing what she calls "identity obsession" in public policy. This move tests whether culture war messaging can rebuild Conservative electoral fortunes or further alienates centrist supporters uncomfortable with rolling back equality protections.

The pitch carries political risk. Support for equality protections remains strong across broader public opinion