Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called for an end to what she described as “identity politics” in policing following a private meeting with the family of Henry Nowak, a young man whose death has raised significant questions about law enforcement and public safety.
Badenoch stated that the family is “devastated” and seeking answers regarding the sentencing of the murderer, religious practices that permit the carrying of certain knives, and transparency from the police. She noted that the family has also requested a meeting with the Prime Minister, emphasizing the need for cross-party collaboration to improve safety for young people and restore trust in the police.
The Conservative leader criticized current police training and diversity initiatives, arguing that some programs treat different groups differently rather than ensuring equality under the law. She referenced the case of Henry Nevard, claiming that such training has led to “terrible outcomes.”
Badenoch asserted that The Equality Act recognizes individual characteristics such as race, sex, and religion, not groups, and that public institutions have ignored her previous guidance as a minister on how to follow the law. She stated that many of these initiatives were introduced by bodies themselves following the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, not by the Conservative government, and that as equalities minister, she was unable to control operational matters in police forces.
When asked about claims of two-tier policing, Badenoch acknowledged that police sometimes treat groups differently, citing examples involving pro-Palestinian protests, Jewish protesters, trans activists, gender critical women, and Gypsy Romany travelers.
She distanced herself from Nigel Farage, stating that while he points out problems, he does not offer solutions. “Nigel Farage doesn’t have any answers. He’s just whipping people up,” Badenoch said, adding that politicians should focus on fixing issues rather than inflaming anger. Regarding Elon Musk, she stated she does not know what he is doing and emphasized that she is the leader of the opposition for the UK, not America.
Badenoch also addressed internal Conservative Party matters, confirming that she has blocked coalition agreements in places like Birmingham and Worcestershire.
She explained that the party will only work with groups that help deliver conservative outcomes, and that a group leader in Worcestershire was suspended after lying to party headquarters. She raised concerns about a “cover-up” involving the Prime Minister’s right-hand man, Darren Jones, whose text messages were leaked to a newspaper. According to Badenoch, the messages revealed a lack of confidence in the Chancellor and that the Business Secretary had been taking instructions from unions rather than acting in the interest of business and workers.
Badenoch made these remarks while visiting a Cemex plant in Staffordshire, a business that has operated since 1865.
She argued that Labour government policies, including onerous regulations and high energy costs, are de-industrializing the UK and causing youth unemployment to rise. She called for the UK to drill its own oil and gas in the North Sea and to scrap the carbon tax, stating that the Conservative Party stands against the current trajectory of the economy. The family of Henry Nowak continues to seek a meeting with the Prime Minister as part of their push for accountability and safety reforms.
Lords Decry Labour Betrayal of Young Workers as Unemployment Crisis Surges
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