Kemi Badenoch accuses Tory rivals of seeking ‘easy answers’ on immigration
Kemi Badenoch criticized some Conservative leadership rivals for looking for simple solutions to immigration issues. She positioned herself as the only candidate who can realistically address the party's challenges.
During a gathering in central London with Conservative MPs present, Badenoch mentioned that she is a straightforward person who can identify ongoing issues and challenge Labour in politics.
She compared this to what she called the simple promises of some rivals who made commitments about migration numbers and leaving the European court of human rights (ECHR). Without specifically naming anyone, she seemed to be criticizing her close competitors Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat, who both support limits on net migration.
"When David Cameron became our leader, we had a limit of tens of thousands," stated Badenoch, the ex-business minister who now watches over housing, communities, and local government issues. "We should reflect on why that approach failed, instead of simply making more empty promises."
She continued by saying, "It's more than just stating figures and goals. There are issues within the system that need to be addressed. Those who are simply giving out numbers and making promises to leave the ECHR are providing simplistic solutions."
The words did not suggest that Badenoch was moving towards the middle politically. She criticized the previous Conservative government for speaking conservatively but governing liberally.
Regarding immigration, she also indicated her readiness to implement strict policies, stating: “If taxpayers do not want their money going towards foreign criminals being in our prisons or roaming our streets, those criminals should be deported. If they want priority given to local residents for housing, benefits, and school enrollment, we need to ensure that happens.”
When asked how the previous government had operated similarly to Labour, Badenoch pointed to the implementation of goals to achieve net zero. "We all strive to improve the environment, but simply setting targets without a clear plan on how to achieve them, in my opinion, relied more on regulation rather than innovation," she explained.
Embracing her image as a straightforward politician, Badenoch discussed her background as an engineer, stating that engineers have a realistic view of the world. Some colleagues have described her communication style as harsh.
Her statement was straightforward: she does not believe in spinning the truth. While she may use charm occasionally, she values honesty and authenticity. In her view, politics has become too focused on telling people what they want to hear rather than taking action. She emphasized the importance of actions speaking louder than words.
It is predicted that Badenoch will be one of the final four candidates remaining after two are eliminated in the voting process by Tory MPs this week. At the launch event, Badenoch was joined by several colleagues, including Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, who introduced and supported her candidacy.
Badenoch also mentioned her frequent involvement in controversial topics known as "culture war" issues, particularly relating to gender and race. She expressed more concern about the election of four independent MPs who focused on Gaza-related issues than the addition of five Reform UK members.
When questioned about focusing too much on culture war topics in government, Badenoch responded by saying that those critics "weren't paying attention." She pointed out that in addition to being the business secretary, she also held the position of equalities minister.
She explained how she tackled difficult topics such as race and gender that others avoided. Instead of avoiding them, she stood her ground and supported those in need, leading her party to address these important issues.
