Kemi Badenoch wasted no time making an impact in her first Prime Minister’s Questions as the new Conservative Party leader. She came out swinging, targeting Labour leaders Sir Keir Starmer and David Lammy with a bold demand: an apology to former U.S. President Donald Trump. Badenoch’s challenge came after Foreign Secretary Lammy had previously labeled Trump a “profound threat to the international order” and a “neo-Nazi sympathizing sociopath”—statements that stirred up significant controversy at the time.
Badenoch’s remarks marked a combative start to her tenure, as she defended Trump while painting the Labour leaders as out of touch with international allies. In her statement, Badenoch argued that the Labour leaders’ language reflected a dangerous disconnect from key figures on the global stage.
The call for an apology is part of Badenoch’s broader approach to reframe the Conservative Party’s relationship with international partners, including Trump and his U.S. support base. For many observers, her bold statements set the tone for an assertive leadership style, one that’s unafraid to confront opposition and challenge the Labour Party’s stance on key international issues.
This high-profile exchange hints at the potential for future clashes between Badenoch and her Labour opponents. For Badenoch, her first PMQs was more than just an introduction—it was a clear signal of her intent to shift the tone and direction of Conservative politics and to hold Labour accountable for past criticisms that, she suggests, have strained international relationships.
