Badenoch Slams Reform UK Over 'Outdated Views on Race'

Economy Secretary Kemi Badenoch launched a sharp attack on the Reform UK party, accusing them of holding outdated views on race and attempting to drag Britain backward. Speaking at the Conservative Party conference, Badenoch directly addressed the party's rhetoric on national identity, which has been amplified by figures like Suella Braverman, a former colleague who defected to Reform.

Badenoch, who identified herself as a "proud black Briton," pushed back against the idea that only white people can be considered English. She referenced comments made by Braverman, who stated she did not consider herself English despite being born in London, identifying instead as "British, of Asian ethnicity." Badenoch expressed her dismay at the prospect of a country where the mixed-race children she is raising might have their Englishness questioned. She invoked historical figures like black England footballers Ian Wright and John Barnes, whose nationality was never in doubt during their careers, contrasting that with current political discourse.

"I don't want to live in a country run by people who threaten journalists, call veterans traitors and debate whether my mixed-race children are English," Badenoch stated. "I don't want to explain to my son when we're watching our brilliant England team play football that some people don't think our black players are English."

She also criticized Reform UK leaders, including Nigel Farage, whom she labeled as part of a group of "weirdos and criminals." Badenoch highlighted several controversies surrounding the party, mentioning the alleged jailing of its former Welsh leader Nathan Gill, the resignation of his successor Dan Thomas after an arrest, and ongoing investigations into donations and payments linked to party figures. Badenoch specifically questioned a £5 million gift received by Nigel Farage from a crypto-billionaire and alluded to undercover recordings where Reform figures reportedly discussed "brown envelopes." Both Farage and Reform UK have denied any wrongdoing.

Badenoch extended an appeal to Reform UK voters, suggesting they had been let down by the party and urging them to return to the Conservative fold. She contrasted the current situation of some Reform leaders with their previous confidence, referencing a time when they were purportedly preparing for Downing Street. Badenoch also used a past Conservative poster slogan, "Labour says he's black, we say he's British," to underscore her point about national identity and inclusivity.

Despite her forceful speech, Badenoch acknowledged that the Conservative party still has significant work to do to regain public trust, noting that opinion polls indicated they remained in third place. She stressed the need for activists to actively promote the Conservative message, drawing a parallel to the 13 years it took the party to recover after its 1997 landslide defeat.

Nigel Farage responded to Badenoch's remarks by stating that her speech confirmed "she has no vision for the country." The strong criticism from Badenoch appears to signal a shift in the Conservative approach to the Reform UK party, dashing hopes of a potential electoral pact between them.