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Kemi Badenoch’s Remarkable Ascent In UK Politics: A Milestone For The Black Community (1)

As Great Britain, once a colonial pow­er ruling over 56 nations now part of the Commonwealth, transitions into a more inclusive society, a symbolic form of “reverse colonization” seems to be unfolding. This phenomenon, exemplified by individuals from formerly colonized nations rising to leader­ship roles in the UK, highlights the open-mind­edness of Britons. Their inclusive approach has afforded immigrants, including those born in the UK, equal opportunities alongside the native population.

The adventurous spirit of the British has also contributed to London’s evolution into a cosmo­politan hub. Home to people from various former colonies, London has become a melting pot of cul­tures and a global financial center rivaling cities like New York, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

Historically, Britain’s dominance as a seafar­ing nation beginning after the founding of the country in 1707 enabled it to build an empire that spanned nearly a quarter of the globe. Through its control of vast territories in Africa, India, Austra­lia, Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean, the British Empire left an indelible mark on the world. While the UK is no longer the imperial force it once was, it remains a vital player on the global stage.

Should Kemi Badenoch—of Nigerian heritage now the leader of the Tory party currently in op­position—one day become the UK’s Prime Min­ister, it would be a monumental achievement not just for Nigerians but for Africans and the global Black community. Her rise would echo that of Barack Obama, whose election as the first Black President of the United States inspired millions worldwide.

However, it’s unlikely that Nigerians had a di­rect hand in Badenoch’s political success. Her as­cent in the UK’s political sphere did not hinge on support from Nigerian-majority constituencies. Therefore, Nigerians must allow her to continue climbing the political ladder without the negativi­ty that sometimes characterizes reactions to such achievements as evidenced by the vilification from Nigerians she is currently contending with.

In my view, if Badenoch reaches the pinnacle of UK politics, she may remember her Nigerian roots. But even if she doesn’t, her success is still significant. It would serve as an inspiration for Nigerian-born Britons and the broader Black community in the UK and other countries in Europe and North America to pursue political leadership, marking a meaningful step forward for the Black race.

In the United States, Barack Obama deliberate­ly distanced himself from Black identity politics during his presidential campaign, recognizing that such an approach might limit his appeal in a nation where Black Americans constitute just 13% of the population. In contrast, Hispanics ac­count for approximately 14%, while Caucasians make up around 67%. The significant role of rural Caucasian voters in Donald Trump’s 2016 and 2024 victory—and their contribution to Keir Starmer’s Labour Party overtaking the Conserva­tives earlier this year, which Kemi Badenoch cur­rently represents—underscores the importance of appealing to the broader majority in diverse democracies.

Badenoch

For candidates from minority backgrounds aspiring to lead multi-ethnic nations, emphasiz­ing racial or ethnic identity can create barriers. Hence Badenoch, like others before her, has to navigate this challenge.

Historically, Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson campaigned for the U.S. presiden­cy by centering on Black identity, but neither achieved electoral success. Barack Obama learned from these missteps, avoiding identity politics and galvanizing young voters through social media, ultimately winning the presidency in 2008. Similarly, the current U.S. Vice President, Kamala Harris distanced her­self from minority-focused identity politics. That is why she did not openly emphasize her Black heritage during her campaign, but celebrated her marriage to Doug Emhoff, a Caucasian, to further broaden her appeal.

Kemi Badenoch appears to be following a com­parable path in the UK. Her husband, Mr. Hamish Badenoch, is a successful Caucasian banker, a detail that could work in her favor when elections are called. As leader of the Conservative Party, this positioning may enhance her chances of be­coming the UK’s next Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, the debate over reparations for the historical atrocities of slavery perpetrated against Africans continues to stir emotions. At the recent Commonwealth meeting in Apia, Samoa, African representatives renewed their call for reparations, but King Charles dismissed the demands, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer brushed them aside. This response frustrated African advocates and reignited debates about the relevance of the Commonwealth, especially if it primarily serves to promote the economic interests of the UK as the former colonial power, particularly the African continent as a market for her goods and services.

The UK’s resistance to reparations—unlike Germany, which compensated Israel for the Ho­locaust—is likely rooted in the immense financial strain such a commitment would impose, particu­larly given the UK’s current economic difficulties.

Nevertheless, Britons like Americans have demonstrated a commendable level of inclusiv­ity and liberalism by granting citizens of foreign ancestry the same rights and opportunities to rise to the highest echelons of political power. This in­clusive approach could, for now, be seen as a sym­bolic form of reparation for the UK’s inability to meet Africa’s demands for financial reparations.

In this context, Kemi Badenoch’s rise to prom­inence—an African woman occupying one of the most significant positions in British politics— offers a powerful symbolic acknowledgement of historical injustices and readiness of the former colonizer to atone for past atrocities such as slav­ery and the pillaging of the economic resources of the continent. Her potential candidacy for Prime Minister would reaffirm this gesture of non-financial reparation, serving as a tribute to the historical exploitation of Africa, particularly the West African region.

That said, I do not support those in Nigeria who have criticized Badenoch for her disparag­ing remarks about the country during her bid for Conservative Party leadership. As Otto von Bismarck once said: “Politics is the art of the pos­sible.” This pragmatic view mirrors the boldness that led Bismarck to organize the infamous Berlin Conference of 1884/85, where Africa was parti­tioned among European powers whose vestiges have been sustained and a reason the continent remains underdeveloped.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, is famously associated with the statement: “In politics, nothing happens by acci­dent.” This highlights that political events and decisions are rarely spontaneous but are typically the result of meticulous planning, strategy, and deliberate manipulation.

Kemi Badenoch’s ambition to become the next Prime Minister of the UK is legitimate, and her approach reflects this aspiration. By aligning herself with the expectations of the British elec­torate, she has positioned herself as a candidate who embodies British political ideals. However, her portrayal of Nigeria, which has drawn crit­icism from Nigerians, likely serves to reassure skeptical voters in the UK of her commitment to those ideals, which differ markedly from the political climate in her ancestral home.

Critics who find her comments about Nigeria disparaging may view them as unnecessary, but Napoleon Bonaparte’s assertion that “In politics, absurdity is not a handicap” offers a counterpoint. This underscores the reality that political maneu­vering often includes statements or actions per­ceived as controversial or unconventional.

The ruthless ambition often associated with political pursuits is exemplified by Nicolae Ceaușescu, the former communist leader of Romania, who reportedly declared: “I will sell my mother to buy power. After getting power, I will buy my mother back.” While the literal fea­sibility of such a claim is questionable, it reflects the unrelenting drive and willingness to sacrifice personal relationships for political gain. Similar­ly, Ghanaian politician Freddie Blay echoed this sentiment, stating: “I love politics, and I would spend money to win power. If you are not careful, I will even be ready to sell my mother for money to retain my position.”

This stark perspective highlights an incon­venient truth: such a mindset underpins the ac­tions of many politicians globally, particularly in authoritarian systems. Politics, after all, is a game of power and influence, often involving the orchestration of events to achieve specific objec­tives. While this doesn’t always imply malicious intent, it does illustrate the calculated nature of political strategy. As Groucho Marx wittily ob­served: “Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.”

From a historical standpoint, Badenoch’s cur­rent political strategy in the UK parallels that of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), whose rise to the U.S. presidency (1933–1945) was shaped by significant challenges, including the Great De­pression and World War II. FDR’s leadership was marked by calculated and strategic decisions, much like Badenoch’s tactical rise to the top of the Tory party as she positioned herself for a shot at the premiership.

As the saying goes: “There is no smoke without fire.”

Badenoch’s seemingly critical stance on Ni­geria may be driven by the significant obstacles she faces in her political journey. These include her non-Caucasian identity, which may lead some to question whether her African heritage aligns with British identity. This skepticism is compounded by concerns that her Nigerian back­ground might influence her leadership style if she were to become Prime Minister. Overcoming these challenges requires Badenoch to carefully navigate perceptions and prove her commitment to the ideals and values expected by the British electorate.

Given the unconscious bias that her non-Cau­casian background might invite, Kemi Badenoch appears to have strategically distanced herself from Nigeria. This move is likely aimed at im­proving her chances of securing the top political position in the UK—Prime Minister and resident of 10 Downing Street. To achieve this, she has de­liberately redefined herself as a quintessential Briton, fully embodying British political ideals and values.

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