Kemi Badenoch claims Tories lost election because they 'talked right but governed left'

Kemi Badenoch launches bid to replace Rishi Sunak

Kemi Badenoch has pointed the finger at the Tories' electoral defeat, attributing it to the party "talking right but governing left." The Shadow Communities Secretary took a swipe at Rishi Sunak's leadership as she kickstarted her campaign to take over as the new head of the party.

Advocating for a smaller state

In her bid for leadership, Badenoch advocated for a smaller state, cautioning that a government attempting to do everything may end up accomplishing nothing. She emphasized the importance of focusing on fewer tasks but executing them with excellence.

Defending her values and record

Badenoch remained unapologetic for her combative approach, asserting the significance of standing up for her beliefs. She rejected the notion that her focus was solely on culture wars, highlighting her work as the equalities minister in addressing challenging issues such as race and gender.