Kemi Badenoch, the first black woman to lead the Conservative Party in the UK, has spoken candidly about the racism she has faced since her election. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Badenoch revealed that she was surprised by the scale of abuse, despite previously stating that Britain is “the best place in the world to be black.”
Badenoch attributed the hostility to a “certain cadre of people” who cannot accept her leadership. She noted that while some MPs have criticized her, the majority of attacks come from anonymous online users, often focusing on her race and ethnicity. She described this phenomenon as “Kemi derangement syndrome,” where people question her achievements due to her background.
The Conservative leader, who grew up in Nigeria and moved to the UK at 16, rarely discusses her race or heritage. However, she emphasized that she prefers to consider alternative explanations before attributing criticism to racism. Badenoch’s comments come as she faces a crucial period as party leader, preparing for her first conference speech amid speculation about potential challenges from within her party.
With the Conservatives polling at just 17%, Badenoch dismissed rumors of a potential leadership challenge from Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, describing such speculation as “wishful thinking” and “sour grapes.” She emphasized that her focus is on the country, not internal party politics.
Badenoch’s leadership and response to criticism will be closely watched as she navigates these challenges and seeks to rally her party.
