Their Natural Inclinations

It is no doubt a measure of Kemi Badenoch's intelligence and sensitivity that she is surprised at the levels of racism and sexism in the openly racist and sexist party which she campaigned to lead. Women rise in the Conservative Party by marrying rich and tacking hard-right; members of ethnic minorities rise in the Conservative Party by tacking hard-right and acting up to the thuggish, greedy or dim-witted stereotypes with which the party is comfortable. Badenoch, who apparently aims to cater for same angry white male Farage Falange demographic that preoccupies Team Starmer, has previously dismissed suggestions that the country is institutionally racist, and now claims that "there are people out there who will ... throw whatever kind of mud at you and they will hope that it sticks." In the Conservative Party it seems they will do so even when mere reality has shown you to be a liar, a hypocrite, an immigrant and not terribly good at your job.