Conservative leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch has defended her party's proposed changes to equality laws, arguing that the current framework has been 'weaponised' against free speech. Speaking at a campaign event, she said the Tories would replace the Equality Act 2010 with a new 'British Bill of Rights' that prioritises individual freedoms over group identity.
Badenoch's comments come amid internal party divisions over the issue, with some moderates warning that watering down protections could alienate voters. However, she insisted the changes are necessary to prevent 'unfair discrimination' against those who hold traditional views on gender and race.
The proposed reforms would scrap the public sector equality duty and limit the scope of 'hate speech' laws. Badenoch argued that the current system has created a 'culture of victimhood' and that the new bill would restore common sense.
Critics, including Labour and equality campaigners, have accused the Tories of using the issue to distract from their poor polling numbers. They claim the changes would weaken protections for women, ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ people.
Badenoch dismissed these concerns, stating that the new bill would actually strengthen protections for individuals against 'woke ideology'. She urged her party to unite behind the proposals, warning that internal 'psychodrama' would only benefit Labour.
