The U.K.'s Rising Star with Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP

Tipped as a future leader of the Tory party, Britain’s new International Trade Secretary and Women and Equalities Minister is at the heart of the U.K.’s post-Brexit efforts to grow.

Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP
Moderator: David Ignatius, Columnist, The Washington Post

[dsartain]

Kemi is articulate and frightens a lot of people because she argues her points so formidably.

[clivecartey]

Very good clear, honest and, actually, very fair.

[chrisclarke]

So impressed by Kemi and what she is achieving for the UK. Just wish we had more people of her calibre in the government.

[FAITHneednotbeblind.-mhid]

The UK needs a Leader like Kemi! Also, France and Spain need a Leader like Kemi. I wish Australia had a Leader like Kemi! She is her own analyst with concrete convictions and will never need a teleprompter.

[nl]

I'm from UK Kemi was the publuc choice hands down she was the best leader in the room but she was silenced on internet her discusions - every time she opened her mouth and advert would start on u tube, and other platforms one day she will be the leader we need

[garypowell]

Many people who say they don't have respect for Kemi are doing so from a position of ignorance. Therefore, I hope the following, will assist in this matter.

I first met Kemi when she mysteriously turned up at a Dulwich Conservative Party constituency meeting in 2009. She had obviously been bused in from CCHQ and equally obviously to become the next candidate for Dulwich and West Norwood. We have had a few conversations since this time, but I would not pretend to know her particularly well. She is extremely amiable and bright. Kemi certainly sounds like a true conservative and I have no reason to believe that she is not entirely sincere in everything she says. I have little doubt that she considers herself at least as British as she does Nigerian. Nigeria is a fairly wealthy country by African standards. Kemi comes from a highly educated and privileged family, received a British-style education, and most surely a far better one than any of my family received in the UK. What I doubt is the level of Kemi's loyalty to the Conservative Party.

Clearly, CCHQ has largely gotten Kemi where she is today but CCHQ has done this for many selected individuals in the past. To my knowledge, Kemi has no family or traditional connections to the Conservative Party. IMO Kemi has a strong work ethic, a commitment to traditional family values, and a meritocratic sociopolitical ideology. All fine stuff but I have no reason to believe any strong loyalty to the Conservative Party.

I see no reason why Kemi would not fully endorse the policies and opinions of Nigel Farage and his party. Indeed from what I could tell Kemi's views are far closer to those of Nigel Farage than Rishi Sunak, Boris Johnson, or David Cameron. I could be wrong. However, I have no reason to doubt myself from anything she has ever said during private conversations or public meetings. Kemi is certainly a small c conservative or an extremely convincing liar, but I have no reason to believe Kemi is a large C, conservative. Which is, of course, a GOOD THING.

Above all. I would advise no one to underestimate her. She is far tougher and smarter than she may appear or deliberately presents herself. I would even go as far as saying ruthlessly determined and ambitious. She can be extremely charming and diplomatic when needed to be and is nobody's fool. I have no doubt whatsoever that Kemi can run circles around Labour's entire front bench, which to be honest, even my mother could do that, but nevertheless. IMO If Tory grandees think Kemi is going to be a pushover, they are in for a big shock.

On the other hand. The Conservative Party's problem is not the Labour Party but The Conservative Party and the Reform Party. She may get a few of these voters back but not many and not enough. Either they need to give up or make a deal with Farage and with a very different type of leader than Rishi Sunak or Boris Johnson. The Conservative Party does not need to go to the right it needs to go where Reform are which is right at the very centre of British Politics. The Conservative Party does not just have to adopt all of Reform's policies it has to convince the British public that it can be trusted to deliver all of them. A signed and legally enforceable contract signed in their own blood may help, but I doubt even this will be enough.

[margaretmuhanga]

This gurl is headed fir big things. But she should say something good about Africa. Africa is home ❤

[scottbuckingham]

My interwishen tells me kemi will be leader of the Conservative party
And I predicted Trump will be president in 2024 3 years ago

[goldb]

If only there were more politicians who are as brave as Kemi.

[brianmorrison]

She would be a great Prime Minister for the UK ..I wish her well

[ferdinandgbarreiro]

She spent 1 yr in the USA as her mother is an accedemic doing research. To say she grew up in the US is a false claim.😮

[philjones]

This is one of the funniest things I have ever seen

[NewSuperPaul]

The voice of clarity, reason and, like she says, common sense

[donaldskinner-reid]

The Border isn't secure if you are not checking imports.

[ChristopherSharp-ig]

Kemi will be axĝreatleader of thd tory party I have sorted for her as I am a tory member I think she will be a great p m. Come the next election vhris

[SwatantraNandanwar]

Minister for Equalitues. Eh? Theres an oxymoron.

[DrEbenezerMO-ld]

Wasn’t truth Sabba people wasn’t disliked anyone. I was there in Libya 🇱🇾

[MaBaKar]

Hi Kemi, name a single way in which the UK is not worse off outside the EU? Crickets.

[LizMaculate]

Bragging of being an engineer all the time why? Scam? ?You only need to act like one if you are a genuine one.Nigerian for you.zShe won't go to Nigeria where she is needed most Coz she knows she will meet birds of the same feather they will easily put her in her right place

[johnmorris]

By 'rising star' you mean a shameless liar, yes?