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Suddenly, the situation became more apparent. Kemi Badenoch was making the rounds with interviews on consecutive days, appearing unusually upbeat. Her demeanor suggested any lingering frustration had dissipated, and she even managed to sport a smile that seemed genuinely enthusiastic. This was not the same Tory leader that had eluded public interest for so long.
Kemi was visibly thrilled as the results of the Canadian elections rolled in, which exceeded her expectations. Not only did the Liberal party achieve a remarkable victory, but the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, faced a significant defeat. He had squandered a 20-point lead in a matter of months and, more embarrassingly, lost his own seat, rendering him a political nonentity.
There were hopes that Robert Jenrick would share a similar fate. Known as “Honest Bob,” he had been a staunch supporter of Poilievre and had even penned articles praising Canadian Conservatives as a model for the UK Tories. His enthusiasm for Poilievre was palpable and misplaced.
Such moments don’t often align perfectly, which is why Kemi was eager to revel in the victory, notably coinciding with Donald Trump’s 100th day in office.
Public sentiment towards Trump in the UK has generally been negative. Many criticize him for his tacit approval of Russia’s actions in Ukraine and for controversial decisions affecting various international relationships. There is a pervasive dislike for his persona and political associates.
While Kemi had her reservations about Trump, she was particularly intrigued by the effects of the U.S.-China trade war. She anticipated the challenges it would pose for UK Labour leader Keir Starmer, leading to political vulnerability for his party. The UK wasn’t positioned favorably for a trade deal with the U.S., and Kemi speculated that the UK economy might struggle under tariffs, making it easier for her party to undermine Labour’s governance.
Canada, however, had become Kemi’s special focus. During conversations with the new U.S. administration, she had consistently advocated for treating Canada as a de facto part of the U.S., convinced it was the Canadians’ desire, albeit one they were not fully aware of yet. The resulting backlash against the U.S. would, she believed, be beneficial for the Canadian Liberals—an outcome that served to highlight Jenrick’s ineptitude.
Overall, the day felt victorious for Kemi. The distractions of potential local election setbacks for the Tories did not seem to dampen her spirits.
Kemi’s optimism extended to her recent interview with BBC’s Matt Chorley on Radio 5 Live, where she expressed her eagerness to deport illegal immigrants, or “criminals,” as she termed them, without specifying a destination. The details seemed less important than the message.
When asked about the potential fallout from the local elections, Kemi’s response was laced with amusement. She firmly stated that resignation would be out of the question. In her view, the results from Canada should serve as a lesson that the Tories should not act hastily. She implied that anyone advocating for her departure might be misguided—names not mentioned, but clearly directed.
Meanwhile, Westminster appeared relatively quiet, with many waiting for the outcome of the upcoming elections. Kemi’s sentiments were echoed across the political landscape, as various parties attempted to set expectations. Even Nigel Farage, an outspoken figure, was tempering his rhetoric despite being favored to win the Runcorn byelection.
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Farage’s determination to secure power was evident, but he still seemed unsure about how to exercise it effectively. He even opted to pull Richard Tice from a debate for fear that Tice’s presence would be detrimental.
Meanwhile, Labour leader Keir Starmer was largely keeping out of the public eye, perhaps understanding that his popularity needed careful handling. He seemed to be contemplating how best to address Trump’s recent accomplishments without putting himself in a compromising position.
Ellie Reeves, representing Labour, preemptively laid blame for potential losses on the Tories’ lack of campaigning, giving Kemi one more reason to smile. The internal troubles within the Tory party provided some unexpected advantages, even as concerns lingered about aligning with Farage’s agenda.
Source
www.theguardian.com