UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Kemi Badenoch’s controversial speech at a right-wing conference drew backlash for attacking diversity policies and climate activism instead of defence issues.
The Conservative leader’s speech has provoked strong condemnation from across the political spectrum after she used it to criticise diversity initiatives and climate change efforts as European leaders work on a plan to address the rising global instability and the Russian threat.
Why is Kemi Badenoch facing condemnation after her ARC conference speech?”
Ms Badenoch was criticised for echoing Donald Trump’s rhetoric rather than prioritising national security following her speech at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference in London.
In her speech, she described diversity policies and climate action as “the real poison of left-wing progressivism,” stating that “Western civilisation is in crisis.”
The Conservative leader condemned Britain’s lack of defence spending, calling it a sign of weakness that “only fuels the threats to democracy and global security.”
Ms Badenoch came under fire for giving a fleeting reference to defence, as European leaders gathered in Paris to work on a strategy in response to Trump’s revised approach to the Ukraine conflict.
This criticism comes as the prime minister is set to attend a European crisis summit hosted by Emmanuel Macron. The move follows President Volodymyr Zelensky’s calls for a united “army of Europe” amid worries over US military backing.
How did Daisy Cooper respond to Kemi Badenoch’s speech?
Commenting on Ms Badenoch’s address, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said,
“Instead of standing up for Ukraine and Europe’s security, Kemi Badenoch has decided that she would rather parrot Trump’s dangerous rhetoric. To borrow a phrase from her political hero: sad.”
She accused Ms Badenoch of rivalling Nigel Farage in her admiration for Donald Trump.
How did Labour react to Kemi Badenoch’s address at ARC?
A representative from Labour stated,
“The Tories have no ideas and no remorse for the damage they inflicted on public services and the pockets of working people. They haven’t listened and they haven’t learned.”
The spokesperson remarked that while the Tory leader focuses on talking shop politics, the Labour government is working on the issues caused by the Conservatives, with its Plan for Change already providing 2 million additional NHS appointments and driving growth across Britain.
What did Kemi Badenoch say at the ARC conference about left-wing progressivism?
In her speech alongside Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson, Ms Badenoch expressed concerns that society is distracted by deconstructing past achievements instead of ensuring the most valuable aspects are preserved for the next generation.
She stated,
“This is the real poison of leftwing progressivism, whether it’s pronouns or DEI [diversity, equality and inclusion] or climate activism – these issues aren’t about kindness, they are about control.”
adding,
“We have limited time, and every second spent debating what a woman is second lost from dealing with these challenges.”
How has Kemi Badenoch’s popularity shifted compared to Nigel Farage?
A YouGov survey disclosed that Kemi Badenoch has fallen behind Nigel Farage in favorability score, with voters viewing her less favourably than the Reform UK leader.
The latest data reveal Ms Badenoch’s net favorability score, which stood at -25 last month, has declined further to -29 this month. As a result, she now ranks lower than Mr Farage, whose net popularity rating was -32 last month and improved to -27 this month.
Nigel Farage will also attend the ARC conference and is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech.