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During the recent Budget debate in the House of Commons, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch stood firm in her criticism of Chancellor Rachel Reeves, calling her “spineless, shameless and completely aimless.” Badenoch’s remarks came amid a heated exchange where she accused Reeves of “wallowing in self-pity” and complaining about “mansplaining” and misogyny. Despite the strong language, Badenoch defended her approach, saying she was expressing the frustrations of farmers and business owners affected by Labour’s policies.
The Budget unveiled by Reeves included plans to raise £26 billion through tax increases and the removal of the two-child benefit cap. Additionally, the Chancellor extended the freeze on tax thresholds for three more years, which is expected to bring millions into higher tax brackets. Badenoch condemned these measures, describing the Budget as “a Budget for Benefits Street, paid for by working people.” She accused Reeves of breaking promises about tax increases and insisted that she should resign, telling MPs that Reeves’ speech was “an exercise in self-delusion” and that she failed to show humility or apologize for her policies.
Badenoch also criticized Reeves’ emphasis on being the first woman to present a Budget, stating that exploiting identity in this way diminished genuine achievement. She explained in an interview that she had considered moderating her remarks because Reeves appeared “absolutely broken” following an embarrassing leak from the Office for Budget Responsibility minutes before the Chancellor spoke. Nevertheless, after Reeves launched into a tirade against the Conservatives, Badenoch felt justified in her stern response, saying, “So she started it.” While some, such as former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, condemned the personal nature of Badenoch’s comments, Badenoch dismissed these criticisms and said, “You can’t please everybody,” adding that she does not complain about attacks on her own character during Prime Minister’s Questions.
In addition to her clash with Reeves, Badenoch made clear her stance on Reform UK, accusing the party of being “pro-Putin” and criticizing Nigel Farage for his anti-NATO rhetoric, which she called “bad for national security.” She highlighted Farage’s past claims suggesting Western expansion provoked Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a view she strongly rejects. Badenoch also addressed a controversial social media incident involving Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake, who responded to a Reform UK emblem with an image of a Nazi Golden Party Badge. Badenoch described the reaction as teasing rather than an accusation of Nazism, defending Hollinrake’s intent behind the post
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