Kemi Badenoch has described Chancellor Rachel Reeves as a 'woman problem' for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in remarks made during a Q&A with journalists. The Conservative leader made the comment when asked, jokingly, if she would back Starmer should he sack Reeves. 'If he does the right thing with Rachel Reeves, I will also support him in that, but his 'woman problem' is not my concern,' Badenoch said.
When pressed on why she referred to Reeves as a woman in this context, Badenoch explained: 'Well, when [Reeves] stood up in her budget, she wanted everyone to know that she was the first female chancellor. I didn't stand up here congratulating myself for being a female leader, or being a black leader. And that's why when you open the door to those things, it means that people can comment on them.'
The remarks came during a speech in which Badenoch argued that the UK is getting poorer and failing to compete globally, while also criticising Tory failings on Brexit policy. She downplayed the need to apologise for her party's record.
