Ever since Kemi Badenoch became the Conservative party leader she has stepped up her game of muck-raking, and mud slinging against perceived irritants. She has ramped up rhetoric against immigration numbers, organised religion, reparations for a slavery past, among others.
She has incessantly eulogized her country of birth, Great Britain, as the best place in the world. She has spewed forth a feast of sound bites on diverse issues.
One wonders why an educated, and politically exposed woman takes delight in throwing her country of origin under the bus. Why would she painstakingly paint gory tales of gloom and hopelessness about a country she left behind at 16?
Come to think of it, other political figures with foreign ancestry have occupied lofty positions in the United Kingdom. Boris Johnson, a former Prime Minister hails from Turkey. Not once did he disparage his country of origin during his tenure. The same with Rishi Sunak, former Prime Minister, whose ancestry is India. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has Pakistani roots. Kwasi Kwarteng, who served briefly as Chancellor of the Exchequer is of Ghanaian descent. They all focused on the job at hand without reference to their land of nativity.
So why is this political gadfly using caustic takedowns to create unnecessary bedlam with her provocative utterances?
Is it to sound holier than the Pope?
Is it to purge herself of any blackness by dismantling all linkages to her ancestry?
Is it a fast leg up in the crowning as the queen of deep conservatism? The mind boggles at her scant regard for cultural norms and practices. Or is it anything goes so long as the prize is within reach?
Even President elect Trump with all his political braggadocios has never derided his German and Scottish ancestry. Not even President Obama badmouthed his Kenyan roots while he was American President. Patti Boulaye, and Shirley Bassey are wonderful British entertainers with Nigerian ancestry.
Both have maintained cordial and respectful relationships with the motherland.
I feel that this political posturing of Kemi Badenoch could well be a standout rebellious streak to garner quick support especially from the far right for her political dreams to gain quick ascendancy among British electorates.
My prayer for Kemi, even though she’s now a cultural Christian who doesn’t believe in God is that no scandal finds a path to her doorstep. That’s when she will be reminded of her Nigerian origin by the British media! Anthony Joshua, and Linford Christie on my mind.
Meanwhile, let her have her time in the sun until the salvos start to rain down. She should also watch out for the banana peels that crashed out more consummate political minds in her party.
Compliments of the season to everyone.
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By Mubo Okosun
Women’s Editor
