Kemi Badenoch delivered a spirited address from the foredeck of HMS Wellington, a retired warship moored on London's Embankment. The Conservative leader used the vessel, a symbol of Britain's past defense commitments, to criticize the current Labour government's approach to national security and historical education.
Badenoch, standing on a dais that swayed with the Thames, characterized the current government as "complacent" on defense. She also took aim at what she described as the Left's attitude towards history, stating that some schools teach Britain's past as uniquely evil. Badenoch asserted that Britain has a history of being "one of the better ones" and that its citizens should be proud of their cultural inheritance, including the Royal Navy's role in abolishing slavery.
Her speech also touched on foreign policy, criticizing the Labour party's stance on slavery reparations and questioning Nigel Farage's perceived alignment with Russia. Badenoch also made light of gender-identity politics and commented on a Labour politician's remarks about stocking up on wine, quipping that she would do the same if she were in that party.
Supporters, including MPs, were present at the rally. The event took place on a week when Badenoch was scheduled to miss Prime Minister's Questions. She produced a letter from John Healey, a former Defence Secretary, regarding defense spending levels, contrasting it with the current government's perceived indecision on the issue.
The HMS Wellington, which once served during the Battle of the Atlantic, is now used for events. The unusual setting for the political rally, with activists holding placards advocating for increased defense funding, lent a surreal quality to the proceedings. Despite distractions, including a passing helicopter and heckling from the Embankment, Badenoch's energetic delivery suggested confidence in the rising Conservative tide, according to reporter Quentin Letts.