It has not been an enjoyable bank holiday weekend for Kemi Badenoch. The Sunday Times contained not one, but two, critical stories of the Tory leader. The first was about her choice of car in government; the second about a recent shadow cabinet meeting at which her MPs were instructed on ‘management theory and values.’ Labour opponents outside the party were quick to leap on the first story; Tory critics are circulating the second as proof of her ineffectiveness.
Badenoch had one of the prized slots on the Sunday morning round to answer back. On GB News, Camilla Tominey credited her guest for shouldering the burden on media commitments – unlike other members of the Tory frontbench. But it was on Sky that Badenoch came somewhat unstuck. Asked by Trevor Phillips for her view about the Israeli language and actions in Gaza, she replied:
Who funds Hamas? Iran, an enemy of this country. Israel is fighting a proxy war on behalf of the UK, just like Ukraine is on behalf of Western Europe against Russia. We have to get serious! We have to get serious. There was a terrorist plot in London against the Israeli embassy. We saw two Jewish members of the Israeli embassy in DC killed. Whose side are we on? We need to make sure that the hostages are returned. No one wants to see a war in Gaza. Palestinians are suffering. Netanyahu is complaining that he thinks our leaders are carrying out the wrong action. He has every right to say that. What I want to see is Keir Starmer making sure that he is on the right side of the British national interest.
While some Tories would doubtless applaud the spirit of Badenoch’s reply, her clumsy language has now become the story. The Russian embassy in London quickly seized on her remarks, hailing it as proof that ‘Ukraine is indeed fighting a proxy-war against Russia on behalf of Western interests.’ As one Tory wag noted: ‘First endorsement she’s had for a long time.’
Even allowing for the cynicism of Moscow’s diplomats, it was a poor analogy to make between very different conflicts: one that risks antagonising allies abroad and at home too. By inadvertently echoing Russia’s position on Ukraine, Badenoch has handed her opponents another stick with which to beat her.
With some polls putting the Conservatives in fourth place, every bit of media airtime now carries extra importance. Many senior Tories argue that ‘credibility’ will be the distinguishing feature between their party and Reform, come the next election. If that is to be a Tory strength, then it is imperative to ensure that message discipline is rigorous, to avoid any further slip-ups.
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