Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has unleashed a ferocious and highly personal assault on former Tory MPs who have abandoned the party to join Nigel Farage's Reform UK, branding their actions as "a tantrum dressed up as politics". In a scathing speech delivered in Westminster, central London, Badenoch directly targeted high-profile defectors including Nadhim Zahawi, Robert Jenrick, Andrew Rosindell, and Suella Braverman, who have all switched allegiance to Reform this month.
Personal Apologies and Political Barbs
In a speech laden with sarcastic apologies, Badenoch took aim at the specific grievances of the defectors. She expressed regret that Robert Jenrick, whom she had sacked from his position as Shadow Justice Secretary, did not win the Conservative leadership contest. Similarly, she apologised to Nadhim Zahawi for his failure to secure a peerage and enter the House of Lords. The Conservative leader also extended her sarcastic sympathies to those who were not appointed to roles in the shadow cabinet, a pointed remark that encompassed both Suella Braverman and Andrew Rosindell.
"We Only Want Conservatives"
Badenoch, who was elected by Conservative Party members with a mandate to renew and rebuild the party, stated unequivocally, "I won't apologise to those walking away because they don't like the new direction. We only want Conservatives." She emphasised her commitment to the party's revitalisation, contrasting it with what she portrayed as the petulant departure of her former colleagues. "To those who are defecting, who don’t actually disagree with our policies, I will say: I’m sorry you didn’t win the leadership contest. I’m sorry you didn’t get a job in the shadow cabinet. I’m sorry you didn’t get into the Lords, but you are not offering a plan to fix this country," Badenoch declared.
A Political Tantrum Analogy
The Conservative leader drew a striking analogy between the defectors' actions and childish behaviour, stating, "This is a tantrum dressed up as politics. When my kids have a tantrum, I don’t give up or change my mind. I send them to their room." She issued a stark warning about the potential consequences of such political manoeuvres, adding, "And I say to everyone else: if that tantrum ever found its way into government, we would all pay the price."
Reform's Growing Ranks
The defections have significantly bolstered Reform UK's parliamentary presence. Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman became the latest and most prominent Tory to defect on Monday, joining as Reform's eighth MP. She followed Robert Jenrick and Andrew Rosindell, who abandoned what many perceive as a sinking Tory ship in recent weeks. Former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi had already switched sides earlier this month, marking a significant erosion of Conservative parliamentary strength.
Labour's Scathing Response
The Labour Party responded with equal ferocity to Badenoch's comments. A Labour Party spokesman dismissed the internal Conservative conflict, stating, "Nobody is listening to the dying Tory Party. Kemi Badenoch refuses to apologise for the unforgiveable mess her party left behind in government, or the damage they inflicted on family finances." The spokesman further criticised the Conservatives' credibility, remarking, "The public will not trust arsonists complaining about the fire they set. The Conservatives are not serious, they’re not sorry, and are too consumed with holding together their terminally broken party."
This extraordinary public rift highlights the deepening fractures within the Conservative Party as it struggles to maintain unity and relevance following a period of significant electoral challenges and internal discord. The personal nature of Badenoch's attacks underscores the high stakes involved, with the defections to Reform UK posing a tangible threat to the Conservative Party's future electoral prospects and parliamentary cohesion.
