Kemi Badenoch has chosen not to criticize her leadership competitor Robert Jenrick for his recent remark about not encountering another white individual during a visit to Birmingham. Badenoch characterized the statement, which was captured on a secret recording obtained by The Guardian, as a factual observation. Jenrick faced accusations of racism for his comment made after a brief visit to Handsworth in Birmingham for a video shoot.
During an interview on BBC Breakfast, Jenrick suggested that the report should be viewed skeptically and mentioned that the recordings were out of context. He defended his statement, stating that it was merely an observation and highlighted the importance of integration within communities.
Badenoch expressed disagreement with accusations of racism against Jenrick, criticizing some Birmingham MPs for what she perceived as divisive politics focused more on international issues than domestic concerns. She emphasized the need for better integration among communities.
Jenrick’s controversial comments were reportedly made during a dinner event at the Aldridge-Brownhills Conservative Association in March. He described his visit to Handsworth as witnessing poor integration and a lack of diversity, emphasizing the importance of living harmoniously regardless of race or faith.
Critics, including independent MP Ayoub Khan and Georgie Laming from Hope Not Hate, condemned Jenrick’s remarks as misrepresenting the community and potentially fueling far-right sentiments. Khan attributed the visible issues in Handsworth to years of austerity measures and mismanagement by government authorities.
Overall, the incident has sparked debate over the state of community integration and the impact of political rhetoric on societal cohesion.