Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch has ignited fresh debate following a wide-ranging interview on GB News. Badenoch explicitly called for a ban on ongoing pro-Palestine marches, arguing they create a “climate of intimidation.” However, despite acknowledging the “Unite the Kingdom” rally was generally “fine,” she notably refused to condemn Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to ban certain foreign speakers from attending, stating her priority is domestic free speech, not speaking for “foreigners.” The interview also touched on the escalating Labour Party “psychodrama” surrounding Andy Burnham’s run for the Makerfield by-election.

BADENOCH’S STANCE ON PROTESTS AND FREE SPEECH The interview grew contentious when the topic shifted to the massive, concurrent “Unite the Kingdom” and pro-Palestine demonstrations that took place over the weekend in London, which reportedly cost nearly £5 million to police .

Badenoch outlined a hardline stance on public demonstrations. “My view on marches is very simple: that where they create a climate of intimidation and fear, and they’re actually a cover for people to be doing something else, they should be stopped. That’s why I said they should ban the pro-Palestinian marches; we’ve had enough of those,” she declared .

When asked directly about the “Unite the Kingdom” rally, she stated that the event itself was “fine,” noting that while some may attend to cause trouble, those who misbehave are arrested. She clarified, however: “I’m not a supporter of Tommy Robinson. I don’t endorse him.” .

REFUSING TO CONDEMN FOREIGN SPEAKER BANS A major point of contention within conservative circles has been Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to ban several foreign speakers from entering the UK to attend the “Unite the Kingdom” rally. Rather than condemning Starmer’s censorship, Badenoch sided with the executive authority to control borders.

“I’m not here to speak for foreigners. The free speech that I want is for free speech for people in this country,” Badenoch asserted .

She expressed frustration that political energy is being spent defending the rights of foreign nationals, stating, “Let the security services and the Prime Minister make a call. If I’m Prime Minister, I want to be able to say, ‘No, some people can’t come into this country.'” She then sharply criticized Starmer, arguing that if he applied the same strict entry logic consistently, the UK “wouldn’t have a small boats crisis.” .

Badenoch concluded the segment by arguing that the sheer volume of protests is draining police resources across the country and distracting the nation from critical issues such as the economy and defense .

THE LABOUR “PSYCHODRAMA” IN MAKERFIELD Earlier in the interview, Badenoch addressed the impending Makerfield by-election, where Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is heavily favored to become the Labour candidate. This move is widely viewed as the first step in a direct leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Badenoch dismissed Labour Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy’s claims that talk of a leadership challenge is “froth and nonsense,” stating that Nandy is “living in La La Land and hoping that everybody else is too stupid to call it out.” .

She criticized the Labour Party for being “100% focused on themselves and not on the country,” describing the leadership struggle as a “personal psychodrama” . Badenoch also firmly rejected the idea of forming a strategic pact with Nigel Farage and Reform UK to defeat Burnham in Makerfield, accusing Reform of treating politics as a “popularity contest” and criticizing Farage for failing to show up to key debates in Parliament .