Kemi Badenoch, the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, delivered a statement during the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, claiming that the United Kingdom is the best country to be black
The mother of three expressed her belief that the UK is a country that recognizes people as individuals rather than simply categorizing them.
“I tell my children that this is the best country in the world to be black because it is a country that sees people and not labels.” Mrs Badenoch, 43, a former Tory leadership hopeful who is tipped for another tilt for the party crown, lashed out at advocates of identity politics who she accused of trying to “re-racialise” society.
Mrs. Badenoch, aged 43 and a former contender for the Tory leadership, is rumored to be considering another run for the party’s leadership. She strongly criticized proponents of identity politics, accusing them of attempting to reintroduce racial divisions into society.
In her criticism of the Labour Party, she argued that they promote a narrative of hopelessness, suggesting that British society is inherently biased against young people, and that seeking reparations is a more viable path. Mrs. Badenoch maintained that this narrative is detrimental to young individuals, like her own children, as it conveys the message that the odds are insurmountably stacked against them.
She said: “They want young people to believe a narrative of hopelessness, a narrative that says there is no point in trying because British society is against you and you are better off asking for reparations, a narrative that tells children like mine that the odds are stacked against them.”
Addressing grassroots Conservative activists, she emphasized the party’s commitment to fostering pride in the country among young people, as opposed to encouraging feelings of shame.
She underscored the party’s rejection of the divisive agenda associated with critical race theory, asserting that individuals should be evaluated based on the content of their character, echoing the famous words of Martin Luther King Jr., “not the color of their skin.” She welcomed any opposition to this stance, challenging those who seek to reintroduce divisions into society.
“Conservatives want young people to be proud of their country when others want them to be ashamed.
“It wasn’t a tough decision for us to reject the divisive agenda of critical race theory. We believe, as Martin Luther King once said, people should be judged by the content of their character, not the colour of their skin – and if that puts us in conflict with those who would re-racialise society, who would put up the divisions that have been torn down, then conference, all I can say is bring it on.”