Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has hit back at critics calling for Robert Jenrick to replace her, branding them "sore losers". She told The Sunday Times that some of her detractors "can't cope with the fact that I won this" and suggested they view politics as a game rather than focusing on the country's needs.
Badenoch claimed that much of the criticism directed at her stems from racial prejudice and assumptions about diversity initiatives. She said some people believe "she couldn't possibly have done this all by herself" and suggested her position was only achieved through diversity, equity and inclusion programmes.
Racial criticism claims
The Tory leader described what she called "Kemi derangement syndrome" among critics who question her abilities. She said there was "a lot of ethno-nationalism creeping up" on social media, with people using "tropes about black people - that they're lazy, they're corrupt or they're all DEI hires".
Badenoch rejected suggestions that she was lazy or late for engagements, calling such claims extraordinary given that she takes "everyone at face value".
Jenrick's growing profile
Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, who lost to Badenoch in last year's leadership contest, has been building support through social media videos featuring activities like putting up English flags and tackling fare dodgers. Badenoch suggested it was "wishful thinking" by his supporters that he could replace her and claimed Jenrick himself found the speculation "distressing".
She estimated that only "two to three people out of 120" Conservative MPs were behind the criticism, dismissing the broader movement as insignificant.
Leadership challenges
Badenoch acknowledged her task as opposition leader was harder than predecessors like William Hague faced after the 1997 Labour landslide. She pointed to having fewer MPs and the new challenge posed by Reform UK taking Conservative votes.
The party currently trails both Labour and Reform UK in opinion polls, with Badenoch describing her mission as "a proper uphill task" to ensure the Conservatives remain "a force in British politics".
Reform UK criticism
Badenoch launched a scathing attack on Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, calling him a "bullshit artist" whose party was "just about pulling things down and destroying things". She said there were now "more people competing for that oxygen of attacking the Government", making opposition leadership more challenging.
She acknowledged public anger over both Labour's current policies and the state the Conservatives left the country in, calling such feelings "legitimate".
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
