Conservative MP Esther McVey told party members that Thatcher would be "spinning in her grave" at GB Energy, the new company set up by Labour to invest in green energy projects.
McVey also argued that the party could take a leaf out of Thatcher's book when it comes to the task of rebuilding its reputation as a competent custodian of the British economy.
It is perhaps the key message the party wants to get across this week, as it seeks to present Nigel Farage's spending plans as a threat to the public finance.
McVey, a former work and pensions secretary, said Reform UK's promise to scrap the two-child benefit cap, a policy backed by the Lib Dems and also under consideration by Labour, could leave the Tories as the only main party pushing to keep the limit in place.
"The economy is where the Conservatives are going to get their breakthrough," she added. "That is, I think, going to be our separation, our USP."
Redwood pointed out that Thatcher also faced an electoral challenge from a new party, in the shape of the SDP, which polled as high as 50% in the 1980s as part of an alliance with the Liberals.
He added that the Tories didn't "spend our time talking about or worrying about the social democrats," instead focusing on "being Conservatives".
As the governing party at the time, he added, it was "incumbent on us" to show the party could deliver its policy programme.
If Badenoch can repeat the trick in opposition, it could decide whether she can lead her party back into government.
[SRC] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c23755eg09zo
