Kemi Badenoch has come under fire from opposition parties after using a public speech to denounce diversity policies and climate activism at a time when European leaders are focused on addressing growing global instability and the threat posed by Russia.
The Conservative leader addressed the right-wing Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) conference in London on Monday, where she described diversity policies and climate activism as “the real poison of left-wing progressivism.” Her remarks have drawn sharp criticism, with political opponents accusing her of “parroting Donald Trump’s dangerous rhetoric” instead of focusing on national security.
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper accused Badenoch of “competing with Nigel Farage to fawn over Donald Trump,” while Labour insisted the remarks proved the Conservative Party “haven’t listened and they haven’t learned.”
Within the Tory Party itself, some sources reportedly questioned the timing of the speech, especially as European leaders were holding crucial discussions on security challenges. One insider described the decision as “a clear example of poor communication strategy.”
Speaking alongside Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson, Badenoch expressed concerns that Western civilization is “in crisis,” arguing that societies are too preoccupied with “critiquing and deconstructing what previous generations built” rather than preserving valuable traditions for future generations.
“This is the real poison of left-wing progressivism, whether it’s pronouns or DEI [diversity, equality, and inclusion] or climate activism — these issues aren’t about kindness, they are about control.
“We have limited time, and every second spent debating what a woman is a second lost from dealing with these challenges.”
Kemi Badenoch
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The ARC conference, which continues through the week, will also feature an address from Reform leader Nigel Farage, who is expected to take the main stage on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Badenoch also touched on Britain’s defense spending, calling the country’s financial hesitancy in military investments a “weakness” that only emboldens adversaries and threatens democratic stability.
Despite raising concerns about global security, Badenoch’s speech has been criticized for barely mentioning defense at a time when European leaders are holding urgent discussions in Paris to assess potential shifts in international policy following Trump’s renewed stance on Ukraine.
Her remarks come as Prime Minister Keir Starmer attends a European crisis summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, amid growing anxieties over Russia’s aggression and Trump’s reported negotiations with Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also urged the formation of an “army of Europe” in response to concerns that the United States may no longer be a reliable defense ally.
The uncertainty over Trump’s foreign policy agenda has fueled speculation that Ukraine may be forced to make territorial concessions to Russia, a possibility that European leaders are working to counteract.
Opposition Leaders Slam Badenoch’s Priorities
Following Badenoch’s address, Daisy Cooper sharply rebuked the Conservative leader’s choice of topics.
“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.”
Daisy Cooper
A spokesperson for the Labour Party also condemned the speech, stating, “The Tories have no ideas and no remorse for the damage they inflicted on public services and the pockets of working people.”
The Labour representative further asserted that while Badenoch engaged in “talking shop politics,” the Labour government remained focused on action. “Our Plan for Change has already delivered two million more appointments in the NHS and is kickstarting growth across Britain to make people better off.”
As such, Badenoch’s comments have reignited debates on the role of diversity policies, climate activism, and government priorities in the UK, with critics arguing that the Conservative Party is increasingly aligning itself with far-right ideologies.
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