By Islam El-Sakka
UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has declared that Donald Trump "deserved to be thrashed" in the US midterm elections, denouncing his "dirty" political style and policy record. In an exclusive interview, she criticized Trump for the Iran war, threats against Canada and Greenland, sweeping tariffs, and squabbling with allies including the UK.
Trump's defeat 'entirely self-inflicted'
Badenoch said Trump's heavy midterm loss was "entirely self-inflicted" because voters want results. She argued he wasted an extraordinary electoral coalition by pursuing protectionism and personal insults rather than free markets and alliance-building. She also condemned his treatment of President Zelensky and his rhetoric toward journalists as falling below the standards of a statesman.
Admiration for Kamala Harris
Controversially, Badenoch stated she would have been content if Trump had never won a second term and Kamala Harris had become president in 2024. She described Harris as a fellow black female politician she admires, saying she liked both candidates equally.
Savage critique of Johnson and Truss
Badenoch also savaged her Conservative predecessors Boris Johnson and Liz Truss for "gimmicks, mistakes and short-termism" in government. She blamed them for excessively high immigration and, regarding Truss, the disastrous unfunded budget that led to her ouster after six weeks. Quoting St Augustine, Badenoch said she would "hate the sin, love the sinner" rather than name them personally.
Assessment of Burnham and Farage
On Labour's Andy Burnham, she acknowledged he is more genial than Keir Starmer but warned his desire to please everyone makes him "dangerous." Regarding Nigel Farage, she called his Reform Party "bonkers" and ruled out any coalition, though she admitted Farage initially forged an emotional connection with voters that the Tories had lost. She questioned the source of his £5 million donation and said his story "doesn't add up."
Leadership style and party discipline
Badenoch defended her aggressive Commons despatch box performances, describing the arena as "kill or be killed" with 400 Labour MPs screaming. She refused to apologize for calling former Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson "spiteful" over private school closures, framing it as class war. She also claimed the defection of leadership rival Robert Jenrick to Reform was like defusing an "unexploded bomb" that stopped Shadow Cabinet leaks.
Resilience and continuous improvement
After a difficult start as leader, Badenoch said she has developed a thick skin and a "poker face," boasting that the more Burnham sees of her, the less he wants an early election. She expressed pride in being a "cool customer" who believes in continuous improvement.
