Kemi Badenoch Says She is Suffering from Racism as First Black Woman to Lead Popular UK’s Party

• Kemi Badenoch has revealed the extent of racist abuse she has faced since becoming the first black woman to lead the Conservative Party, describing the backlash as “hysterical” and deeply personal
• In a candid interview, she criticised the rise of ethno-nationalist rhetoric online and challenged assumptions about her success
• As she prepares for a crucial party conference amid leadership speculation, Badenoch remains defiant in the face of political and racial hostility

Kemi Badenoch has spoken candidly about the racism she has endured since becoming the first black woman to lead the Conservative Party, revealing her surprise at the intensity of the abuse despite previously praising Britain as “the best place in the world to be black”.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Badenoch said she had been taken aback by the level of hostility she faced, particularly online.

“There’s a certain cadre of people who clearly can’t cope with the fact that I won this and I’m doing it,” she told the paper.

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“The level of personal attacks from anonymous people, it’s hysterical. Not even just from MPs. I actually don’t think it’s that many MPs. I think it’s two to three people out of 120. That’s nothing. But online as well. People used to talk about Trump derangement syndrome. I think there’s a Kemi derangement syndrome: ‘How could she possibly have done this?’.”

Badenoch also highlighted the rise of ethno-nationalist rhetoric on social media, noting that her race and ethnicity were frequently targeted. “There’s a lot of ethno-nationalism creeping up, lots of stuff about my race and my ethnicity and the tropes around, ‘well, she couldn’t possibly have done this all by herself’,” she said.

Conservative leader reflects on identity and criticism

Born in Wimbledon and raised in Nigeria before returning to the UK at age 16, Badenoch has seldom spoken at length about her heritage. She recently stated that she no longer felt Nigerian and has been vocal in her criticism of anti-racism campaigners and critical race theory.

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“I always try to think of every possible explanation before I go to race and racism. I think that is a healthy way to run a society,” she said. “I remember when I stood up a few years ago and said Britain is not a racist country – ethnic minorities do very well here, it is white working-class boys who are actually struggling on a lot of metrics, and I got pilloried for that.”

Badenoch added, “My view is that there are people out there who will say whatever it is, they will throw whatever kind of mud at you and they will hope that it sticks.”

Tory leadership challenge and party conference ahead

The Conservative Party currently sits in third place in national polls at 17%, and Badenoch faces a critical period as she prepares for her first party conference speech as leader. Speculation has mounted over a possible leadership challenge from her shadow justice secretary, Robert Jenrick.

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Responding to claims from Jenrick’s supporters that he may soon take over the leadership, Badenoch dismissed the rumours. “I think it’s wishful thinking,” she said. “There will always be people who are sore losers, our candidate didn’t win, and so on, and sour grapes … When I hear those things, I can tell those people are not focused on the country at all. Many of those people having those conversations think this is a game. But the lives of people in this country aren’t a game.”

Despite the tension, Badenoch defended Jenrick, stating: “I think even Rob himself finds it distressing, but it’s just something that we deal with.”

As Badenoch prepares to address the party and the nation, her remarks underscore the challenges of navigating race, leadership, and political ambition in modern Britain.

Shettima drags UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch

Legit.ng earlier reported that Vice President Kashim Shettima has criticized UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch for remarks he described as disparaging toward Nigeria.

Badenoch, a UK MP of Nigerian descent, sparked controversy in 2022 when she accused Nigerian politicians of misusing public funds.

Source: Legit.ng