Badenoch defends her children’s British identity, slams Reform MPs

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch defended the British identity of her mixed-race children during a speech at the Conservative Party Conference 2026. She expressed her desire not to live in a country where people questioned whether her children were English. Badenoch, who represents North West Essex, criticized Reform UK MPs for openly questioning people's identities.

She stated, "I don’t want to live in a country run by people who threaten journalists, who call veterans traitors, and debate whether my mixed-race children are English." Badenoch emphasized that she did not want to explain to her son why some people questioned the English identity of black players representing England. She recalled former England players Ian Wright and John Barnes, noting that their English identity was never questioned.

Badenoch recalled that during their playing days, nobody questioned whether they were English, unlike the current situation where sitting MPs question the English identity of black players. She urged against taking the country backwards, emphasizing that this is not the country they are. Badenoch accused Reform MPs of openly questioning people's identities, stating, "We are not like them. We are the Conservative Party."