This episode has reinforced longer-term problems for the Conservative. Some of the perceptions she had been working hard to improve, most notably on party unity, have suffered.
According to the latest Opinium polling, almost half (48 per cent) of UK adults think it was a bad Budget, while only 15 per cent think it was good.
Simply put, slashing the state wasn’t where most of the British public were. However, 16 months of Rachel Reeves as Chancellor appears to be changing that, and the appetite for greater taxes amongst ordinary voters is the lowest we have seen.
The fact that the Conservatives ceded so much ground in areas with many focused on economic and business issues should give pause for thought. But it also highlights an opportunity to rebuild.
Reform’s rise represents a formidable challenge, but not an insurmountable one. Its appeal on core Conservative political territory is undeniable, yet it does have weaknesses. The Conservatives should work to lead with the economy.
For a treaty often at the centre of tabloid firestorms, the public at large are surprisingly reticent to leave it. Support for reform, on the other hand, is overwhelming.
For both No10 and No11 Downing Street, last week was a reminder that failing to communicate effectively can be just as damaging as failing to govern competently.
By focusing on the negative economic consequences of the current target, it becomes challenging to present an easily explainable alternative.
The next Conservative leader must set out a clear signal that they are seriously interested in changing the country, uniting the party, and demonstrating that it has learned from its mistakes.
It might be a cliché to say this after a defeat, but the polling shows that the Tories needs to reconnect with all their potential voters rather than fixating on which of two opposite ends of the electoral map to win back.
Let this lesson be learned: an opposition leader who lets their party stand still after they are flung out of office will be dealt with a double blow.
The party’s total vote share and prospects is more buoyant than a simple glance at some of the polls might expect.
This has become an increasingly important issue for voters – especially swing voters and for none more so than the young, amongst whom housing now competes with the economy as one of the single most important issues.
When we look at the priorities of Conservative voters, 46 per cent want the cost-of-living and inflation tackled, 36 per cent want energy security improved, 30 per cent want economic growth to return, and only 14 per cent want taxes cut.
With each set-piece moment, Badenoch appears to be persuading more voters that she might just be the right person to lead her party after all.