Birmingham political expert reacts to Shadow Chancellor's plans
A University of Birmingham political expert has reacted to the Shadow Chancellor's plans which were announced at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.
Last updated 26th Oct 2026
A University of Birmingham political expert says Andrew Griffith’s speech to the Conservative Conference in Birmingham may have appealed to party members, but could struggle to connect with voters more widely.
Matthew Francis, Reader in History (Education) at the University of Birmingham, said the Shadow Chancellor relied heavily on familiar Conservative themes, including lower taxes, deregulation and cutting red tape.
He was reacting after Mr Griffith used his speech on Monday 5th October to argue the UK has “a debt problem, a tax problem and a growth problem,” saying: "it will take us, Conservatives, to make our economy strong again."
After hearing the speech, Dr Francis said the MP was "playing the hits,” using references of previous Conservative leaders like Margaret Thatcher and Nigel Lawson to give people 'what they want to hear.'
He said that approach was likely to work well with people in the conference hall, but questioned its wider appeal.
In the speech, Mr Griffith said a future Conservative government would focus on lower taxes, cheaper energy, getting people into work, cutting red tape and backing business.
He also announced plans to scrap what he called Labour’s packaging tax and Family Homes Tax.
The Shadow Chancellor also set out housing proposals, including scrapping stamp duty entirely on primary homes.
He said stamp duty was “a bad tax” affecting young people hoping to buy a first home, couples trying to move before having a baby, and grandparents downsizing to be closer to family.
Dr Francis said the Conservatives had made a clear push on housing, but questioned whether the latest proposals offered much new.
He said there were questions about how much difference the proposals would make, given earlier Conservative policies aimed at supporting first-time buyers.
The Shadow Chancellor ended his speech by saying the Conservatives could offer young people a better future and claimed Britain’s next economic comeback would be “a Conservative story”.
But Dr Francis questioned whether the pledges would have the impact the MP intended, based on the party's previous track record while in governance.
The Conservative Conference 2026 began in Birmingham on Sunday 4th October and will finish on Wednesday 7th October.