Business secretary Kemi Badenoch has addressed reports suggesting she is vying for Rishi Sunak’s position, expressing her frustration with the ongoing speculation. In a lengthy 4,000-word interview, she emphasized her commitment to her current role and dismissed rumors of ambition for the prime ministerial position.
Ms. Badenoch rebuked those purportedly plotting against the prime minister, urging them to cease their efforts. Despite reports linking her to a Tory WhatsApp group named ‘Evil Plotters,’ she emphasized her focus on her responsibilities and criticized the distractions caused by such rumors.
While acknowledging Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s leadership qualities, she declined to rule out the possibility of seeking the party’s top position in the future. In her interview with the Times, she praised Sunak’s leadership for its stability but highlighted the challenges she faces, stating that her actions, whether domestically or internationally, are often misconstrued as political maneuvering.
Amidst ongoing speculation and scrutiny, Ms. Badenoch remains steadfast in her role as business secretary, prioritizing her duties over political speculation and maintaining a focus on her responsibilities within the government.
In the expansive interview, Kemi Badenoch opened up about various aspects of her life, revealing personal insights and experiences. She candidly discussed her political upbringing, attributing her conservative views partly to her encounters with what she described as “snotty, middle-class north Londoners” during her university years. She expressed frustration with their perceived patronizing attitudes towards Africa, which she found condescending and uninformed, leading her to feel disconnected from their worldview.
Furthermore, Badenoch recounted a harrowing experience she faced last year when she narrowly escaped a flash flood in her constituency. Reflecting on the incident, she admitted to previously underestimating the dangers of flash floods but found herself in a life-threatening situation when sudden, torrential waters engulfed her car. Forced to evacuate the vehicle and navigate through waist-deep floodwaters in pitch darkness, she described the terrifying ordeal, highlighting the unpredictability and ferocity of natural disasters. Despite the traumatic experience, Badenoch managed to escape unharmed, albeit with her car destroyed by the floodwaters.
In response to the ongoing speculation surrounding her political future, Kemi Badenoch expressed frustration at being portrayed as a mere pawn in Michael Gove’s political maneuvers, emphasizing her autonomy and independence of thought. She acknowledged that while her relationship with Gove had changed, she recognized the necessity of collaboration in their professional capacities.
Badenoch also shed light on the heightened security risks she faces, revealing that death threats against her have escalated, particularly following the release of Nadine Dorries’s book, “The Plot,” which delves into Boris Johnson’s downfall. She condemned the dangerous combination of mental health issues and violent tendencies exacerbated by conspiracy theories, emphasizing the seriousness and maliciousness of such threats.
Moreover, Badenoch criticized the Tory party’s tendency to treat prime ministers as expendable assets, stressing the need for stability and cohesion within the party. She rebuffed accusations of pursuing leadership ambitions, asserting her commitment to her current role and responsibilities.
In response to Badenoch’s call for unity within the party, Dorries retorted by suggesting that Badenoch should heed her own advice. This exchange highlights the internal tensions and divisions within the Conservative Party as members navigate political ambitions and allegiances.