Kemi Badenoch told voters she 'stands behind Jewish people' as she confronted a heckler while on the campaign trail yesterday. The Conservative Party leader spoke out against rising antisemitism after being challenged by a woman attempting to downplay the issue ahead of the local elections in Essex.
Clash Over Antisemitism and Muslim Safety
The clash began when the woman, named Chelsey, accused Ms Badenoch of answering 'rehearsed questions' and repeatedly asked about the Muslim population, following a series of attacks on the Jewish community. Chelsey talked over Ms Badenoch, who responded: 'It's very important that the people know what it is that they're voting for with me, and what they will have with me is someone who is very, very determined to stop this climate of intimidation and hatred towards Jews.'
Ms Badenoch added: 'I go to Jewish primary schools that have security guards outside – I don't see that with any other primary school in this country. I go to Jewish supermarkets that have security guards. I go to Jewish businesses that are having their windows smashed in, Gail's bakery having graffiti sprayed all over it. We need to stop pretending that this is not happening. We do not want the 1930s repeated again.'
Heckler Questions Protection for Muslims
During the confrontation at Barleylands Farm Park in Billericay, Essex, Chelsey interrupted: 'What about the rise in attacks on the Muslim people? Are they not worth protecting?' Ms Badenoch replied: 'The people who have died and who've been killed are Jewish people in synagogues. Let's stop pretending that something else is happening.'
The woman shouted back: 'But this isn't about Jewish people,' to which Ms Badenoch quickly interjected: 'No it is, it very much is. It very much is about Jewish people.' The Tory leader continued: 'You can say all that you like, but this is how the 1930s started, with people pretending not to see what was happening in front of them. I am not blind, I am telling people the truth.'
Exchange on Political Stance
Chelsey claimed the 1930s 'also started with politicians pandering to the Right'. Ms Badenoch calmly said: 'I'm sorry but I disagree with you, you just have to accept that.' When the woman called out 'Yeah, we know where you stand, pandering to the Right', Ms Badenoch responded: 'I am the Right, yes, and I'm very proud of being on the Right – I'm not pandering to the far-Right.'
As she left, Ms Badenoch stated: 'What I am doing is supporting Jewish people from the sort of ignorance that people like you put out there, and I will never be intimidated by it.' The crowd applauded after the tense exchange.
Context of Rising Antisemitic Attacks
The confrontation came after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green on Wednesday, April 29. This was the latest in a spate of antisemitic attacks across the country, with the Jewish community pleading for more government action. Officials have described the past few months as the most serious surge in antisemitic attacks on British Jews in recent years.
Attacks have included Jewish teenagers threatened with knives at a Tube station, Jewish businesses targeted with arson attempts, and diners at a kosher restaurant assaulted. In October 2025, two worshippers were killed and several injured in a terror attack at Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester. The UK's threat level was raised from 'substantial' to 'severe' last Thursday for the first time in over four years, following the Golders Green stabbing. In March, ambulances operated by a Jewish volunteer emergency service were set on fire, alongside further reports of attempted arson and attacks on synagogues in north London.
