Kemi Badenoch’s memory wipe and the eternal sunshine of the spotless mind | John Crace

The Tory leader, now seemingly more gentle, is blessed with the ability to forget everything that happened the day before Please sit down. Loosen your clothing. Do not adjust your screen. Take several deep breaths. Close your eyes. Imagine yourself in your happy space. Your life might not be quite the same again. Hard to believe, but Kemi Badenoch has had a psychological makeover. Don’t get me wrong: we’re not talking a complete personality change. There hasn’t been a miracle. A laying on of hands by Donald Trump (AKA Christ the Redeemer). Kemi is still unable to stop herself from saying the ridiculous. It’s more that her madness has been somewhat diminished. Made more user-friendly. It only really resurfaces at prime minister’s questions. For reasons that aren’t quite clear, Keir Starmer is triggering for her. It’s hard to know precisely when or how this softening has happened. It’s crept up on us all quite gradually. Maybe she’s worked through whatever led her to wake up each day ready to pick a fight with everyone. Including herself, if her reflection ever catches her eye. Whatever the case, Kemi has undeniably mellowed. It feels as if for the first time as Con