Kemi Badenoch Speaks Out on Racist Abuse Since Tory Leadership Win

• Aug 24, 2025

Kemi Badenoch, the first Black woman to lead the UK Conservative Party, says she has faced relentless racist attacks since her election. The party leader described the level of abuse directed at her as “hysterical,” adding that much of it comes from anonymous social media users rather than fellow MPs.

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Badenoch said she had not anticipated the hostility that followed her victory. While acknowledging that a small number of MPs have been critical, she stressed that the bulk of the abuse comes from racists online who target her race and ethnicity. “There’s a certain cadre of people who clearly can’t cope with the fact that I won this and I’m doing it,” she explained. “The level of personal attacks from anonymous people, it’s hysterical.”

Badenoch compared the situation to what she described as “Trump derangement syndrome,” saying that critics appeared unable to accept her success. She added that racist trolls often suggest she could not have achieved her position independently. “There’s a lot of ethno-nationalism creeping up, lots of stuff about my race and my ethnicity and the tropes around, ‘well, she couldn’t possibly have done this all by herself’,” she said.

Born in Wimbledon but raised in Nigeria before returning to the UK at age 16, Badenoch has previously attracted attention for her views on race. She has argued that Britain is not a racist country and that ethnic minorities generally thrive, while white working-class boys struggle most on several social and economic measures. Her stance has often drawn criticism, but she maintains that dismissing every difficulty as racism undermines progress.

Now serving as MP for North West Essex, Badenoch also faces internal party challenges. Reports have suggested that her shadow justice secretary, Robert Jenrick, could seek to replace her as leader. She dismissed the speculation as “wishful thinking,” insisting such talk came from “sore losers” more focused on internal rivalries than the needs of the country.

“My view is that there are people out there who will say whatever it is, they will throw whatever kind of mud at you and hope it sticks,” she said. Badenoch emphasized that leading the party is not a game but a responsibility that directly affects people’s lives across the UK.