Kemi Badenoch says Britain’s tradition of acceptance is being undermined by people at both ends of the political spectrum—those who push a narrative of racism and those advancing ethno-nationalism. In an interview on the Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth podcast, the Conservative minister said both sides are threatening to divide the country along racial lines, which she warned could lead to a society that resembles apartheid-era South Africa.
“I have mixed race children. Making sure we keep a socially cohesive society, one where the colour of your skin doesn't matter any more than the colour of your eyes or your hair, is quite important,” she said. “I think we've done such a brilliant job in the UK and that's in danger of turning because of people on both extremes.”
She added: “Those who want to pretend this is the most awful place in the world to live if you're an ethnic minority, they've created a lot of damage, but now we're also seeing a rise in ethno-nationalism, of people who are trying to pretend that those of us who are different skin colours are not meant to be here.”
“Never. And I think that this is one of the things that probably made me an outlier,” she said, when asked if she was made to feel conscious of her race upon arrival. “I knew I was going to a place where I would look different from everybody and I didn't think that was odd.”
“What I found actually quite interesting was that people didn't treat me differently. It's why I am so quick to defend the UK whenever there are accusations of racism.” Badenoch was born in Wimbledon to Nigerian parents and raised in Lagos.
“I did not experience prejudice in any meaningful form. That doesn't mean prejudice doesn't exist or that it doesn't happen. Many people do [experience it], but I didn't, not seriously," she continued.
She mentioned instances in school where teachers underestimated her, though she stopped short of accusing them of deliberate racism: “Some of it was just coming from what they thought was a good place,” she said, referring to suggestions that she apply to less prestigious universities. “I don't think they were trying to disadvantage me. So I didn't feel that way.”
“I have mixed race children. Making sure we keep a socially cohesive society, one where the colour of your skin doesn't matter any more than the colour of your eyes or your hair, is quite important,” she said. “I think we've done such a brilliant job in the UK and that's in danger of turning because of people on both extremes.”
She added: “Those who want to pretend this is the most awful place in the world to live if you're an ethnic minority, they've created a lot of damage, but now we're also seeing a rise in ethno-nationalism, of people who are trying to pretend that those of us who are different skin colours are not meant to be here.”
“Never. And I think that this is one of the things that probably made me an outlier,” she said, when asked if she was made to feel conscious of her race upon arrival. “I knew I was going to a place where I would look different from everybody and I didn't think that was odd.”
“What I found actually quite interesting was that people didn't treat me differently. It's why I am so quick to defend the UK whenever there are accusations of racism.” Badenoch was born in Wimbledon to Nigerian parents and raised in Lagos.
“I did not experience prejudice in any meaningful form. That doesn't mean prejudice doesn't exist or that it doesn't happen. Many people do [experience it], but I didn't, not seriously," she continued.
She mentioned instances in school where teachers underestimated her, though she stopped short of accusing them of deliberate racism: “Some of it was just coming from what they thought was a good place,” she said, referring to suggestions that she apply to less prestigious universities. “I don't think they were trying to disadvantage me. So I didn't feel that way.”
