
Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK Conservative Party, has vowed to shield Britain from the dangers of ineffective governance, drawing from her personal experiences growing up in Nigeria. In her first speech of the year on Thursday, Badenoch emphasized her dedication to "real conservatism" as the key to securing a "better, richer, and safer" future for younger generations in the UK.
Reflecting on her childhood, Badenoch recalled how her once-prosperous family was affected by inflation and poor governance in Nigeria. “I know what it’s like to lose something valuable. I don’t want Britain to lose what it has,” she said, stressing the importance of stability and sound leadership. “I grew up in a poor country and watched my family work harder but grow poorer as their money disappeared.”
Badenoch’s journey to the UK at the age of 16, with her father’s last £100, was a bid for a better life, she explained. “I’ve lived with the consequences of a terrible government that destroys lives, and I never want that to happen here.”
The Conservative leader’s criticism of Nigeria's governance is not new. Previously, she has referred to Nigerian police as “armed robbers” who exploit citizens instead of serving them, a comment that sparked backlash, including a response from Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima. Shettima advised Badenoch to change her name if she no longer wished to be associated with Nigeria, describing the country as the “greatest Black nation on earth.”
Badenoch’s latest remarks underscore her message about the perils of misgovernance and the need for policies focused on long-term national prosperity.
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