Badenoch warns Britain must ‘stop being naive’ about antisemitism

Kemi Badenoch has spoken of her determination to ensure “never again” is a reality as she set her sights on tackling antisemitism and said she felt “vindicated” by the resignation of the defence secretary over spending. 

The Conservative leader received a rapturous reception from nearly 700 guests before and after her address to Norwood’s annual property lunch – at which she also claimed the prime minister doesn’t enjoy the job.

In conversation with LBC’s Nick Ferrari, Badenoch told guests: “If you had asked me on 6 October 2023 if there was an antisemitism problem in Britain I’d have said ‘not really’. For me, 8 October was a revelation and I suddenly saw monsters everywhere I didn’t know existed. The fact people came out protesting against Israel before any action in Palestine.
The endless marches that became a cover for hate against Jews, we have to fight that.”

The Tory leader called out the common threat of Islamic extremism faced by Israel and countries globally including many Muslim majority nations. There is an urgent need to counter the “naive” belief that everyone coming to the country would contribute positively to the country. “We need to stop being naive. It is damaging the country. I believe the fight against antisemitism is one of many fights facing the country.”

She acknowledged she hadn’t initially called for a ban on the Gaza marches but “by time Rishi started speaking out it was too late. We should ban the marches.

“The right to protest came from the universal suffrage movement..it’s not about terrorising this nation’s Jews,” she added.

Badenoch was asked about her decision to focus on defence spending at this week’s prime minister’s questions, hours before John Healey announced his resignation. “It’s nice to be vindicated,” she said, describing Healey’s letter to Keir Starmer as “the most astonishing resignation letter we’ve ever seen”.  She claimed the prime minister, as a prosecutor, doesn’t like people questioning him. He doesn’t enjoy being PM because he thought the job was completely different. I think he thought it would be like being a vicar giving sermons. I don’t think he thought about what he was going to deliver”.

But she didn’t just reserve criticism for Starmer, insisting that Reform were not “serious people” and that leader Nigel Farage was far from the hardest worker.

She was also quizzed about her singing abilities (better than her husband’s) and her cooking prowess (not as good as her husband’s) before turning her attention to the property sector. Recalling buying her first flat in Brixton as a 27-year-old, the MP – who then worked in banking – she vowed to abolish stamp duty if she won the keys to Number 10.

Badenoch apologised to those in the room who had abandoned the Tories at the last election and urged them to focus on “my record. We made alot of mistakes in government. Those of us who didn’t like what was going on are now in charge. We are changing the policies, we are changing the people. We need those who have left our country to come back”.

The property lunch has raised more than £10m for the charity’s work with neurodivergent kids and their families over a quarter of a century since its inception, becoming a staple in the industry calendar.

Speaking following the screening of the appeal film which featured their daughter Leah, Simone Barnett and Neil Taylor spoke movingly of the challenges they faced supporting Leah through infancy, with little supplementary support available to them. “Never far from our thoughts was the worry of what sort of life she’d live as she became an adult,” they said. “We always thought Norwood would be a part of her future and we wanted her to be in a Jewish environment – to have the same opportunities that every parent wishes for their child – to be a part of a community and to choose how she wanted to engage with it,” they added.

Speaking of Leah’s transition to her own Norwood home eighteen months ago, they said: “She’s part of her community as we’d always hoped she’d be…but none of that would be possible without your support.”

Lunch co-chair Ed Jackson put it simply: “Norwood helps people live their best lives.”

He added: “The conversations we have here today will help set the agenda for our industry, in terms of innovation and collaboration, for years to come.”

A lifetime achievement award was presented to Jonathan Hewlett of Savills, which has been a lead sponsor of the event for 16 years. Co-chair Mark Pollack said: “He’s not only well regarded because of his myriad of achievements but because he’s universally liked and respected. Which is unusual in our industry.”Picking up the trophy, Hewlett said: “I really don’t deserve this. Everything I’ve seen you’re doing is outstanding and I’m very proud that Savills continues to support this fantastic lunch. Thank you and I’m very honoured to collect the award.”

Pollack said: “It is a remarkable reflection of how our industry comes together when it matters most that notwithstanding the challenging economic climate, so many longstanding supporters continue to give of their time and money to support The Norwood Property Lunch.

“I am proud to have been the Co-chair of this event for over 20 years during which time the funds raised for Norwood have made a huge difference to so many people who depend on the charity for a better life.”