Kemi Badenoch: “My Main Identity Is British, Politicians Should Focus on the UK, Not Elsewhere”

The leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has reaffirmed her stance on national identity and political priorities, stating that her “main identity is British” and calling on fellow politicians, particularly immigrants and those of immigrant descent, to focus squarely on issues affecting the United Kingdom.

In an interview, Badenoch addressed recent criticism of her comments on cultural integration and foreign policy focus, clarifying her position. “Nigeria is a nationality, not an ethnicity,” she said. “There’s no such language as ‘Nigerian.’ There are lots of ethnic groups there. My main identity is British. That is what I see myself as.”

Badenoch, who was born in the UK to Nigerian parents and spent parts of her childhood in Nigeria and the US, emphasised the importance of integration for immigrants and the need for public officials to prioritise domestic issues.

“If you come to this country, you need to be very focused on making sure you integrate,” she said. “And if you are a politician, you need to be 100% focused on British issues.”

Taking aim at opposition lawmakers, Badenoch criticised Labour MPs in particular, accusing them of being overly preoccupied with foreign affairs. “Every day, I see loads of Labour MPs, in particular, talking about every other country except the UK,” she remarked. “As a politician in this country, we need to be very focused on what’s happening here, not what’s happening elsewhere.”

Badenoch, who remains a key figure in the Conservative Party, has often taken a swipe at Nigeria, describing it as a poor nation and also championing a course to stop immigrants from accessing the country.