Kemi Badenoch Confronted by Climate Protesters at Thatcher Conference

Kemi Badenoch was interrupted by climate change protesters during her speech at the Margaret Thatcher Conference, where she defended Thatcher’s legacy against claims of wealth inequality and climate crisis. She emphasized empowerment and renewal within the Conservative Party while Andrew Griffith urged a renewed focus on enterprise and transparency about economic challenges.

During a recent keynote address at the Margaret Thatcher Conference hosted by the Centre for Policy Studies, Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, faced interruptions from climate change protesters. The activists shouted from their seats about wealth distribution and the effects of climate change, prompting intervention from conference staff. One protester criticized Thatcher’s legacy, claiming it fostered inequality and climate issues, while another echoed similar sentiments about the Conservative Party’s policies.

In response to the first protester, Mrs. Badenoch remarked, “I didn’t actually hear anything she said,” and indicated that the protest illustrated ongoing fear of Thatcher’s legacy. Following the first disruption, another protester stood to voice concerns before also being escorted out. The group responsible, identified as Climate Resistance, denounced the Conservative Party for enabling wealth accumulation that exacerbates climate and poverty crises.

Badenoch defended Thatcher’s legacy by stating, “It just seems to show that the Left still believe [Thatcher] is to blame for everything that is going wrong in their lives,” underscoring the importance of honoring Thatcher’s contributions to the Conservative Party and the nation. She highlighted Thatcher’s philosophy that a broken country is not fixed by increasing state size but by empowering its citizens.

At the conference, Mrs. Badenoch reiterated Thatcher’s commitment to revitalizing Britain, asserting, “Just as she rebuilt Britain, we must renew our party, rebuild our country, and save our future.” She further added that the narrative of Britain’s future would be shaped not by detractors but by the Conservative Party and its initiatives.

Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, spoke at the conference’s conclusion, advocating for the Conservatives to regain their identity as the party of enterprise. He stressed the need for transparency with the British people regarding economic challenges, warning against comparisons to aging economies in the G7 and proposing a focus on the more dynamic G20 instead.

Kemi Badenoch’s keynote speech at the Margaret Thatcher Conference was notably disrupted by climate protesters, presenting challenges to her defense of Thatcher’s legacy. While the activists highlighted issues of wealth inequality and climate crises, Mrs. Badenoch maintained a composed stance, emphasizing empowerment over increased government involvement. The conference concluded with Andrew Griffith’s call for the Conservatives to shift their focus towards enterprise and honest communication with the public, positioning the UK towards the G20 as a model for future growth.

Original Source: www.telegraph.co.uk