Kemi Badenoch on Laura Kuenssberg this morning

[HermioneWeasley]

I like her, she’s clear and articulate and unapologetic.

she’s also downplaying her race (she was asked about it, didn’t bring it up) as opposed to Rachel Reeves going on again about being the first female chancellor.

And how did the rest of the Conservative party vote?

I’m black. Kemi doesn’t represent me in the slightest, not even a little bit. It’s good she isn’t making a huge deal out of her race because if she had the black communities would probably have rallied together to tell the media how thoroughly she doesn’t represent us.

That's as maybe but making such a clearly ridiculous statement just to do that she has shown her true colours, totally lacking in political judgement.

It didn't start? But the initial stages did mean quite a lot of people moved on to ROI.

The only country that has successfully dealt with boats is Australia. They use a very strong approach

'Working with other countries' isn't going to be the answer unless we are within the pact

Generally the same way she did - against protections.
I don't know if it's better or worse that these might not be her opinions but are the general opinion of the Conservative party.

Fair comment. Butler has always shown herself to be very happy to shit all over women for her own gain.

It didn't start, but the threat of it changed behaviour to higher prices, more people on a boat, more risk.

Exactly this- a la Truss!

Yes, exactly, she votes as a Conservative. In a parliamentary system where votes are whipped.

So why are people so appalled that the Conservatives have voted for . . . a Conservative!?

So to be clear. The Tories as an entire party are all consistently against any Green initiative. Wow!

Not appalled. Just not agreeing with her politics/voting record (or that of the party in general).

That's smash the gangs now. It's related to supply of vessels

Glad Kemi broke through the glass ceiling. Shame about her views and her policies regarding maternity leave...

What utter bollocks. The problems lies not with her nor any other politician, although you'd think at least one PM would be able to get to grips with the immigration problem to some degree. The problem lies with the parents who make the choice, and pay for, illegal passage from one safe country to another country which they deem to be better. It is their choice that puts their children at completely unnecessary risk. Secondly, the guilt for these tragic events also lies with the with the criminal gangs who perpetuate this horrible trade knowing that UK government is too feeble and/or powerless to act.

If people are upset about deaths in the channel why not look to the PM right now?

Her voting record is abysmal. Her pamphlet Conservatism In Crisis conflates mental health with neurodivergence. Indeed, the pamphlet says:

"If you are a child, you may well get better treatment or equipment at school – even transport to and from home. If you are in the workforce, you are protected in employment terms from day 1, you can more easily claim for unfair dismissal, and under disability rules you can also require your employer makes ‘reasonable adjustments’ to your job (and you can reveal your disability once you have been employed rather than before). In short, whereas once psychological and mental health was seen as something that people should work on themselves as individuals, mental health has become something that society, schools and employers have to adapt around." Only 3 in 10 autistic people are in work (source: NAS).

She claims she was misrepresented on maternity pay - no, she showed herself up and then realised she'd made a huge error.

She's nasty. Doesn't agree with maternity pay orminimum wage, thinks we should work 6 days a week.

Also thinks autistic people get too much attention

She's much too right wing for my liking, so I will never be a fan. But I will concede that she is very articulate and an effective communicator.

@Understairscupboard there was a good interview with former chief immigration officer which summed up the issues with smash the gangs In response to the extra millions.

BBC Radio 4 Today

Sir Keir Starmer is to announce an extra £75m to tackle people-smuggling gangs. Kevin Saunders, former chief immigration officer for ports, tells #R4Today the PM's plans are 'not feasible' and says Sir Keir needs to 'come up with a deterrent' to stop small boat crossings.