UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has expressed her determination to prevent Britain from resembling Nigeria, a country she described as “poor” and plagued by governance failures that destroy lives.
Speaking on Thursday during her first address of the year, Badenoch emphasized her vision for “real conservatism” that ensures a “better, richer, and safer” future for younger generations in the UK.
“Why this matters so much to me is because I know what it is like to have something and lose it. I don’t want Britain to lose what it has,” she stated.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Badenoch shared her experience growing up in Nigeria, where economic hardships caused her family’s wealth to diminish despite their hard work.
“I grew up in a poor country, and I watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer despite working harder as their money disappeared with inflation,” she said.
Badenoch also recounted her migration to the UK at the age of 16 with her father’s final £100, emphasizing her resolve to protect Britain from similar governance failures.
“I came back to the UK at 16 with my father’s last £100 and a hope of a better life. So, I’ve lived with the consequences of a terrible government that destroys lives, and I never ever want that to happen here,” Badenoch declared.
