UK opposition leader Kemi Badenoch hits out at ‘poison’ of the left

Britain’s opposition leader Kemi Badenoch has hit out at diversity policies and climate activism, during a conservative summit in London where Tony Abbott is due to speak.

Britain’s Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has hit out at the “poison” of the left who have successfully pushed diversity policies and climate activism.

Speaking at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference in London which began on Monday local time, the Tory party leader said urgent action must be taken to fight for true values rather than being distracted by progressivism.

“Whether it’s pronouns or DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), these issues aren’t about kindness, they are about control,” she said.

Britain's opposition leader Kemi Badenoch speaks at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) conference in London. Picture: Supplied

“We have limited time and every second spent debating what a woman is, is a second lost with dealing with these challenges”.

The three-day event – which is expected to attract 4000 attendees – is being attended by former prime ministers Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison. Mr Abbott will speak at the conference on Tuesday.

Western civilisation is in crisis - not because of its values, but from weakness.

To save it, we must reject self-doubt, defend free speech, secure our borders, and restore national pride.

Bold leadership, not fear, will shape the future. pic.twitter.com/Na7aQv0DKn

— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) February 17, 2025

Ms Badenoch also declared in her keynote speech that the UK has been “naive” on key issues including economic growth and has failed to properly address high migration which continues to dominate British debate.

“We have been naive on economic growth,” she said.

“We have been naive on issues from net zero to immigration, weakening ourselves and strengthening our competitors”.

The UK economy unexpectedly grew by 0.1 per cent between October and December, latest figures from the Office of National Statistics showed.

Tory party leader Kemi Badenoch said more must be done to protect the economic future of Britain’s children. Picture: Getty Images

The Bank of England recently halved its growth forecasts to 0.75 per cent for 2025, down from its earlier estimate of 1.5 per cent.

Ms Badenoch said more must be done to protect the economic future for the nation’s children and “British people must come first”.

Kemi Badenoch also referred to the comeback of US President Donald Trump, hoping Britain’s Tory Party could do the same. Picture: Getty Images

“We cannot keep racking up debt for our children because of fiscal weakness,” she said.

“We need smaller government and smarter spending”.

Ms Badenoch, who has the led the Conservative Party since November also referred to the comeback of US president Donald Trump and hoped the Tory party could do the same in the UK after the worst result for the party in terms of seats at the 2024 general election, winning just 121 seats.

Britain's opposition Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has slammed the “poison” of the left. Picture: AFP

“Take a look at President Trump, he’s shown that sometimes you need that first instinct in government to spot the problems, but it’s the second time around when you really know how to fix them and it starts by telling the truth,” she said.

She also declared that the UK is “not racist” and “we don’t need to apologise” or pay reparations and said free speech should be protected.

“Free speech matters,” Ms Badenoch said.

“People should not be afraid to speak out.

“We will be proud of our country, most of all, we need to get up off our knees and start fighting, not just for the UK, but the west and our values”.

Originally published as UK opposition leader Kemi Badenoch hits out at ‘poison’ of the left