Kemi Badenoch, sandwiches and appealing to UK voters

16 hours ago

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Good morning. As the year winds down, it seems that nearly everyone in Westminster is feeling a bit worn out and unmotivated to tackle serious topics. This is probably why the hot discussions this week revolve around Nigel Farage’s aspirations for an election that’s five years away, and Kemi Badenoch's opinions on sandwiches. I’ll share some thoughts on the latter and explain why it’s not as insignificant as it may appear.

Inside Politics is overseen by Georgina Quach. You can find the previous issue of the newsletter by clicking here. Feel free to share any gossip, ideas, or comments by reaching out to [email protected].

Ms. Saffron Walden's Love For Sandwiches

Kemi Badenoch recently sat down for an extensive interview with the Spectator, but the standout topic from the conversation is her strong dislike for sandwiches.

"I’m not really a fan of sandwiches; I don’t consider them to be genuine food. To me, they seem more like a breakfast option. Plus, I can't stand bread if it's even slightly wet."

A spokesperson for Keir Starmer has commented on the Prime Minister's fondness for "the classic British sandwich." Meanwhile, Nigel Farage has posted a brief video expressing his appreciation for lunch and sandwiches, which Badenoch took issue with during her interview. As of now, Ed Davey hasn't weighed in on the matter, which, in my opinion, makes a strong case for supporting the Liberal Democrats.

There’s an important message to consider. If I were to ask my grandmother—a white South African who moved to the UK at the age of 21 while pregnant—about British sandwiches, she would likely describe them as "moist" and probably express that she doesn't think they're genuine food either. She made the move to ensure that her mixed-race daughter (my mother) could have the opportunities and liberties that were denied to her in apartheid South Africa.

As a British-born individual with a mixed heritage and a liberal mindset, my response would likely be, “That’s a bit odd, Grandma,” and then I wouldn’t think much more about it. Similar to my grandmother, Kemi Badenoch was raised in a different nation; although she was born in the UK, she spent her first 16 years in Nigeria, and like my grandmother, she moved to this country due to political reasons. A couple of weeks ago, Tomiwa Owolade highlighted in a remarkable piece for the Times that to truly grasp Badenoch’s political views, one must take into account the turmoil and instability in Nigeria during the 1990s.

This isn’t the first instance where Badenoch has made comments that might seem unusual to many in Britain. During her campaign for leadership, she stated that she "became working class" while working at McDonald's at 16, after moving to the UK due to the turmoil in Nigeria—a country that had been suspended from the Commonwealth for breaching the Harare Declaration just a year before.

I can relate to this from my grandmother’s experience. She earned an art degree from the University of Cape Town, but when she arrived in Britain, the only job available to her was as a cleaner. It's up to you to determine whether this was due to her being from Cape Town or if it reflects the value of art degrees.

For many people in Britain, especially those who don't have a personal connection to someone like Badenoch from recent times, her comments in interviews come across as quite strange. The notion that someone can "become working class" feels unusual to the average Brit. Similarly, the observation that the sandwiches available in our supermarkets are somewhat excessively moist also strikes many as peculiar.

Badenoch needs to find a way to express her experience as a first-generation immigrant. I believe this aspect of her background adds real value to our political landscape. I'm the first in my family who hasn't had to leave my home country due to political issues—something we in the UK often overlook, but which she clearly appreciates. While I don’t always agree with her views, she makes a valid point about the significance of stability in Britain and the potential dangers of taking it for granted. In my opinion, one of the remarkable things about this country is that someone like Badenoch, a first-generation immigrant, can rise to become the leader of a major political party on the right, as she herself has acknowledged.

If she doesn't incorporate her personal story into her leadership message, she risks being remembered for actions that many find strange and misaligned with common political views. This situation is similar to Keir Starmer's experience—had he let his critics shape how people viewed his time as director of public prosecutions, his legacy could have been overshadowed by a record of unprosecuted cases and missed opportunities. If Badenoch fails to present her background as a compelling reason to support her, it will ultimately shape her leadership in a way she wouldn't prefer.

Last night, I had a fantastic time celebrating with my fellow columnists from the Financial Times. I want to give special thanks to Martin Sandbu for organizing the taxi ride back from the far reaches of west London—if you haven't subscribed yet, definitely check out his Free Lunch email for Premium subscribers. I also want to acknowledge Jemima Kelly and Anjli Raval for their incredible contributions to our music selection. The highlight of the night for me was dancing to "Mundian to Bach Ke," which you can listen to here. I've added that song along with a few others from the evening to the Inside Politics playlist, which is available for you to enjoy here.

No matter how you choose to spend your time, enjoy a fantastic weekend!

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