Badenoch: Tokenism?
Tories Trying to Be With It?
Once again after a long and trying event, the Tories have a new leader. None other than another female leader Kemi Badenoch. Beating Robert Jenrick by quite some distance Ms. Badenoch is now Queen of the Tories.
No doubt, the Tories will be feeling pleased with themselves. They always point out how ground-breaking they are with 3 female Prime Ministers, an Indian-origin Prime Minister and yet another possible female Prime Minister. Kemi Badenoch being a black woman will be another box for the Tories to tick.
So the Tories will be feeling pretty pleased with themselves. "Arent we so down with it that we have a black woman leader"! And so they might pat themselves on the back for being so inclusive! Wow, a woman and a black woman to boot!
The left they say always attacks them for being racist or sexist. When you look at our track record how can we be? However, might Ms. Badenoch be a bridge too far for many Tory supporters? Especially those over 65 the Tory old guard who might recoil at a woman of Nigerian origin taking the Tory helm. Certainly, many did not like the fact that the Tories had put in place a Prime Minister of Indian background. Not so much his race, as South Asians are Caucasian because he happened to be a little more tanned than his white counterparts. Not to say that's why Tory voters didn't give him their vote. Even if the UK had a Native British Prime Minister (white) the Tories would have lost the election. The Tories had been in power for 14 years and many when they put their X on the ballot paper had enough of them. Reform also ate into their vote as did the Lib-Dems. Labour won by a massive landside; whatever you think of that, the rest is history.
So what can we say about the Tories' new leader? Kemi Badenoch is British of Nigerian origin. Her star has risen fast in the Conservative Party. I don't think anyone ever saw her reaching the dizzying heights of Tory leadership. Her husband is a white middle-class person Angus Badenoch. They have two children from their marriage. Kemi has been accused of being aggressive and lazy. Something she denies in conversation with Sky's Sophie Ridge. She brushed off accusations just because she is black of being aggressive and lazy. "I am no wallflower" she admitted to Ms. Ridge in the interview. She said there is "There is no such thing as the Black Community" as black people are of different national and cultural heritage. She is Tory to the hilt and wants to turn the UK back to true blue.
Politically she is on the right, some might say far-right. In right-wing politics these days we have seen women of colour come to the fore. We have seen Priti Patel and Suella Braverman being very right of centre. Both women showed determination to be leaders and eventual Prime Ministers. However, Ms. Braverman never became a leader. She was regarded as being slightly unhinged. Priti Patel stood in the leadership race to succeed Rishi Sunak but was knocked out. So it came down to Robert Jenrick (who for effect perhaps) moved from a moderate to being right wing. Kemi Badenoch has always been on the right. However, when push came to shove Ms. Badenoch was elected with a resounding majority.
So, is Ms. Badenoch's election somehow tokenism? Did the Tory membership honestly vote for a black woman? Did they see beyond her colour and look at the content of her character (to quote Dr. Martin Luther King)? Has racism died the death in the Tory Party? Are we in an era of right-wing politics where colour no longer plays a part in voting? As long as that person meets with the ideals of the right in their pronouncements and beliefs? Certainly, that might be the case with Badenoch.
A row is brewing politically in the Labour Party. A former Labour minister under Jeremy Corbyn Dawn Butler has called Ms. Badenoch quote: "white supremacy in blackface". At the moment Sir Keir has said nothing about this outburst. The Tories will be outraged so let's see how this matter further develops.
Today, Ms. Badenoch will be choosing her shadow cabinet. She has said she would be willing to give all 6 candidates (including Robert Jenrick) a job in this cabinet. Kemi Badennoch for better or worse is Tory leader for the next 5 years while Labour are in power. She has inherited a party much reduced and mauled by the drubbing they received at this year's general election. Many in and out of the Tory party think she will crash and burn. However, I think it is too early to call time on Badenoch. Ms. Badenoch might be the new leader but scratch the surface and you'll find it's the same old Tories.
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About the Creator
Nicholas Bishop
I am a freelance writer currently writing for Blasting News and HubPages. I mainly write about politics. But have and will cover all subjects when the need arises.
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Woman Pulled Out of UK Ultramarathon After Death Threats Over Afghanistan Fundraising
What began as an inspiring act of endurance and compassion turned into a disturbing reminder of the hostility that can surround humanitarian causes in today’s polarized world. A female runner participating in a major UK ultramarathon was forced to withdraw from the event after receiving death threats linked to her fundraising efforts for Afghanistan. The incident has sparked widespread debate about online abuse, freedom of expression, and the risks faced by individuals who publicly support controversial or misunderstood causes. A Race Meant to Raise Hope Ultramarathons are among the most physically demanding sporting events, often covering distances far beyond the traditional 42-kilometer marathon. For many participants, these races are not only athletic challenges but also platforms to raise awareness and funds for charitable causes. In this case, the runner had pledged to donate money raised during the event to humanitarian organizations supporting civilians in Afghanistan—particularly women and children affected by years of conflict, economic collapse, and restrictions on basic rights. Her goal, according to supporters, was to use her physical challenge as a way to highlight human suffering and encourage empathy. Instead, her campaign became the target of intense backlash. From Criticism to Threats While public criticism of charitable causes is not uncommon, the situation escalated rapidly when the runner began receiving explicit death threats online. Messages reportedly accused her of supporting extremism, misusing funds, or promoting political agendas—claims that humanitarian groups strongly deny. Race organizers and security officials assessed the threats and concluded that allowing her to continue would pose a serious safety risk. As a result, she was withdrawn from the event against her wishes, a decision that underscored the severity of the situation. The runner later expressed heartbreak over being unable to complete the race, stating that her intentions were purely humanitarian and that she never expected such extreme hostility. The Broader Issue of Online Abuse This incident highlights a growing problem faced by athletes, activists, and public figures: online abuse that spills into real-world danger. Social media platforms have made it easier than ever to mobilize support for causes—but they have also amplified harassment, misinformation, and threats. Experts warn that women, in particular, are disproportionately targeted when they speak out or engage in advocacy. When charitable efforts intersect with geopolitics, the risk often increases, as complex global issues are reduced to polarized narratives. The case has reignited calls for stronger moderation policies on social media platforms and more robust legal consequences for individuals who issue credible threats. Afghanistan and the Politics of Compassion Afghanistan remains one of the most sensitive humanitarian topics globally. Since the Taliban’s return to power, international aid has been politicized, misunderstood, or deliberately misrepresented. Many humanitarian organizations operate under strict oversight to ensure funds are used for civilian relief, not political or militant purposes. Despite this, public discourse around Afghanistan has become deeply polarized. Supporting Afghan civilians is sometimes falsely framed as endorsing political regimes, creating a dangerous environment for advocates and donors alike. Human rights groups argue that such misconceptions discourage public engagement and ultimately harm the very people most in need of assistance. Reaction From the Running Community The ultrarunning community in the UK and beyond responded with outrage and solidarity. Fellow athletes, race organizers, and charities condemned the threats and expressed concern about the precedent such incidents set. Many runners emphasized that endurance sports have long been tied to fundraising and social causes, from cancer research to refugee aid. Allowing intimidation to silence participants, they argue, undermines the spirit of both sport and charity. Several organizations have since pledged to strengthen safety protocols for athletes involved in fundraising, particularly those supporting international causes. A Chilling Effect on Activism Perhaps the most troubling aspect of the incident is its potential chilling effect. When individuals face serious threats for supporting humanitarian causes, others may choose silence over action. Activists warn that this dynamic benefits those who thrive on fear and misinformation. If compassion becomes risky, public engagement shrinks—and humanitarian crises deepen. At the same time, supporters stress that the overwhelming response of solidarity shows intimidation does not go unchallenged. Moving Forward The runner’s withdrawal from the ultramarathon is not just a story about sport—it is a reflection of the tensions shaping modern activism, where goodwill can collide with hostility in unexpected ways. As investigations into the threats continue, the incident serves as a stark reminder: supporting humanitarian causes should never come at the cost of personal safety. Ensuring that activists, athletes, and donors can act without fear will require cooperation from event organizers, law enforcement, and digital platforms alike. In the end, the endurance shown may not have been measured in miles run—but in the courage to stand for compassion in the face of intimidation.
By Fiaz Ahmed Brohi3 days ago in The Swamp
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