Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has ignited a significant diplomatic controversy following a speech in which she appeared to endorse a "might makes right" approach to international relations, pointedly referencing a historical territorial claim over Greenland.
A Speech That Crossed a Line
The incident occurred during an address at the fictional 'Kemiworld' conference on Tuesday, 6 January 2026. While advocating for a more assertive British foreign policy, Badenoch made a provocative historical allusion. She referenced the UK's brief, peaceful invasion and annexation of Greenland in 1940, a move taken to pre-empt Nazi Germany during World War II, after which the territory was later handed to the United States and eventually returned to Denmark.
"Sometimes in geopolitics, we have to acknowledge that might makes right," Badenoch stated, before directly citing the Greenland episode. "We don't talk about Greenland, but we took it. Because we could. And it was the right thing to do." These remarks, intended to illustrate her argument for British strength, were swiftly condemned as deeply offensive and irresponsible by the Danish government.
Denmark's Furious Response
The reaction from Copenhagen was immediate and stern. The Danish foreign ministry issued a formal diplomatic protest, summoning the British ambassador to express its "extreme displeasure and bafflement." Danish officials labelled the comments "unacceptable" and "a gross mischaracterisation of a wartime alliance."
Critics within Denmark emphasised that the 1940 action was a protective measure agreed upon amongst allies in extraordinary circumstances, not an act of arbitrary imperial aggression. They accused Badenoch of distorting history to suit a contemporary political narrative of unilateralism, needlessly damaging a strong bilateral relationship.
Political Fallout and Domestic Criticism
Back in the UK, the speech has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and foreign policy experts. Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy accused Badenoch of "diplomatic vandalism" and "reckless sabre-rattling that makes Britain less safe and respected."
Senior figures within the civil service have reportedly expressed dismay, concerned that the comments undermine ongoing delicate negotiations and partnerships. The incident has sparked a broader debate about the government's strategic direction and communication, with questions raised about the coordination—or lack thereof—between the Business Department and the Foreign Office.
As of now, Downing Street has not issued a full statement, with a spokesperson only noting that the UK "values its deep and historic relationship with Denmark." Kemi Badenoch's office has not retracted the comments, standing by the broader theme of the speech advocating for a more robust global stance for Britain.
A Damaging Episode for UK-Denmark Ties
This diplomatic row represents an unexpected and self-inflicted crisis for the UK government. The choice to invoke a sensitive, if obscure, historical episode has transformed a domestic policy speech into an international incident. It risks casting British foreign policy as unpredictable and rooted in outdated notions of power, potentially complicating cooperation with key European partners like Denmark on trade, security, and climate issues.
The fallout from the "Kemiworld" speech continues to develop, with pressure mounting on the Prime Minister to clarify the government's position and potentially distance itself from the Business Secretary's contentious rhetoric. The episode underscores how historical analogies, when poorly chosen, can have very real and damaging consequences in the present.
