Kemi Badenoch held a rally on the foredeck of HMS Wellington, a retired sloop moored on London's Embankment. The unusual venue was chosen by Badenoch to signify a return to a time when Britain, she argued, took defense seriously.
Speaking from the ship, Badenoch launched a critique of the Burnham government, accusing it of a "complacent" attitude towards defense. She also addressed what she described as the Left's approach to history teaching and the Labour party's stance on reparations for slavery. Badenoch asserted that while her family history might not extend back to the Domesday Book, Britain should not be ashamed of its past. She contended that some schools were teaching a narrative of "unique evil" and that Britain was "one of the better ones" with a cultural inheritance that included the Royal Navy's role in abolishing slavery.
Badenoch also criticized Nigel Farage for his party's alleged ties to Russia and urged him to speak out in support of Ukraine. Further remarks targeted gender-identity politics and an anecdote about Labour's Angela Rayner.
Quentin Letts of the Daily Mail described the scene, noting that Badenoch, despite potential difficulties with the ship's motion, delivered a strong performance. She reportedly produced a paper containing a letter from John Healey regarding defense spending levels, contrasting it with the government's current position.
The event, attended by Conservative activists and featuring speakers like James Cartlidge, Shadow Defence Secretary, occurred against the backdrop of the River Thames. Badenoch's energetic delivery, according to Letts, suggested a growing confidence in the Conservative party's standing.