Tory defectors to Reform savaged in ‘tantrum’ jibe as Badenoch throws private insults
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has launched a blistering attack on former Conservatives who ditched the party to join Nigel Farage’s Reform UK
Kemi Badenoch has launched a blistering attack on former Tories (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Kemi Badenoch has launched a blistering attack on former Tories who ditched the party to join Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
In a scathing speech, the Conservative leader accused those who had defected of throwing “a tantrum dressed up as politics”. She aimed personal swipes at Nadhim Zahawi, Robert Jenrick, Andrew Rosindell and Suella Braverman, who all defected this month.
In a dig at Mr Jenrick, who had been Shadow Justice Secretary until Ms Badenoch sacked him, she apologised that he didn’t win the Tory leadership contest and to Mr Zahawi, for him not getting into the House of Lords.
She also apologised to those who didn’t get a job in the shadow cabinet, in a dig that could apply to both Ms Braverman and Mr Rosindell.
READ MORE: Suella Braverman’s worst moments as failed Tory defects to Nigel Farage’s Reform
At a speech in Westminster, central London, Ms Badenoch said: “I was elected by Conservative party members to renew and rebuild.
“That is exactly what I am doing… I won’t apologise to those walking away because they don’t like the new direction. We only want Conservatives.
“To those who are defecting, who don’t actually disagree with our policies, I will say: I’m sorry you didn’t win the leadership contest. I’m sorry you didn’t get a job in the shadow cabinet.
“I’m sorry you didn’t get into the Lords, but you are not offering a plan to fix this country. This is a tantrum dressed up as politics.
“When my kids have a tantrum, I don’t give up or change my mind. I send them to their room. And I say to everyone else: if that tantrum ever found its way into government, we would all pay the price.”
Former Home Secretary Ms Braverman was the latest Tory to defect to the party on Monday. She became Reform’s eighth MP, following Mr Jenrick and Mr Rosindell in abandoning the sinking Tory ship in recent weeks. Former Tory Chancellor Mr Zahawi switched sides earlier this month.
A Labour Party spokesman said: “Nobody is listening to the dying Tory Party. Kemi Badenoch refuses to apologise for the unforgiveable mess her party left behind in government, or the damage they inflicted on family finances.
“The public will not trust arsonists complaining about the fire they set. The Conservatives are not serious, they’re not sorry, and are too consumed with holding together their terminally broken party.”
