Kemi Badenoch has declined to criticize fellow Conservative Robert Jenrick for his recent remark about not seeing any white faces during a visit to Birmingham. The comment was captured on a secret recording obtained by The Guardian.
Badenoch defended Jenrick’s statement as a factual observation, emphasizing that it should be viewed in context. She highlighted the need for better integration among communities, a sentiment shared by Jenrick.
In response to accusations of racism, Badenoch expressed disagreement with labeling Jenrick as such, criticizing Birmingham MPs for divisive politics and prioritizing international issues over domestic concerns.
Jenrick’s remarks were captured during a dinner event at the Aldridge-Brownhills Conservative Association, where he commented on the lack of integration and diversity he observed in Handsworth, Birmingham.
Independent MP Ayoub Khan countered Jenrick’s portrayal of the community, attributing the issues observed to years of austerity measures and council mismanagement rather than multiculturalism failures.
Georgie Laming from Hope Not Hate cautioned against making inflammatory remarks that could fuel far-right sentiments, urging for a more constructive approach to promoting community cohesion.
The incident has sparked debates on social integration and community perceptions, highlighting the importance of responsible discourse in addressing societal issues.