Andy Preston was Mayor of Middlesbrough between 2019 and 2023, as an Independent.
Many socially conservative people, and actual Conservatives, enjoy hearing the extremes of identity politics called out. But with Kemi Badenoch a strong contender for Tory leadership, it is clear that the Party is going in the wrong direction.
The mainstream public craves a proper plan for safer streets, stronger borders, and, most of all, more money in their pocket. Labour’s landslide win was partly a result of the public’s frustration at the Conservatives for not delivering in these critical areas. Yet the Party, Badenoch in particular, is focusing too heavily on identity politics.
Kemi Badenoch, our ex-Business Secretary and ex-Equalities Minister, initially ran for Conservative leader following Boris Johnson’s resignation. After coming a worthy fourth in that race, she has decided to try her luck again this year. Following her vocal stance on trans rights and EDI policies during her tenure as Minister for Women and Equalities, Kemi was self-appointed as the Conservative Party’s anti-woke warrior and initially thrived in that role.
Earlier this year, she accused firms of focusing too heavily on political activism rather than delivering their products and services, and described companies’ policies such as “compulsory pronouns and rainbow lanyards” as no more than “performative gestures”.
I enjoyed her robust challenges and thought she’d become a bigger political star. Her push for a tougher stance on immigration initially offered a beacon of hope that she would be able to win back Tory voters who voted for Reform after frustration that the Party had not moved further to the Right on social issues. But now that time’s elapsed, what’s she offered beyond fighting identity politics?
Politicians who focus squarely on such issues can indeed attract both media attention and the electorate with their strong and emotional appeals. Yet prioritising culture wars and identity politics without a clear and cohesive vision for the future of our country can lead to essential policy areas being neglected. Addressing issues such as the cost-of-living crisis and migrant crisis requires careful planning and a long-term vision. All Badenoch seems to be able to offer are soundbites that make for good headlines but lack depth.
What’s more, her anti-woke stance is no more than a façade. Her hypocrisy was revealed earlier this year when she was so easily triggered by actor David Tennant’s light-hearted tease. When the ex-Doctor Who expressed his wish for her to “shut up” in his award acceptance speech at the British LGBT Awards, about her stance on trans rights, she lashed out instead of simply shrugging it off, thereby revealing herself to be a massive snowflake.
She took to X to respond to his comment, and resorted to the very identity politics she condemns. She bizarrely referenced Tennant’s skin colour and gender and describing him as a “rich, lefty, white male celebrity” before accusing him of “attacking the only black woman in government”. Such extraordinary hypersensitivity and hypocrisy show her unsuitability for big leadership roles.
I still respect much of what she says and agree with her on some points. Her strong stance against woke culture resonates with many who are conservative with a small c. However, her response to a harmless quip revealed a fixation on race and gender and the hypersensitivity of a student activist.
All Parties need a leader who’s resilient and takes criticism on the chin, especially a Conservative Party that’s short on ideas and identity.
