During an appearance on Sky’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips program, Badenoch expressed frustration at the intense speculation surrounding her potential role in replacing the Prime Minister. She stressed that the shadowy group allegedly orchestrating Sunak's removal was not affiliated with her and dismissed them as mere stirrers.
“They don't care about me. They don't care about my family or what this would entail. They are just stirring,” Badenoch emphasized, distancing herself from the ongoing political maneuvering.
However, she stopped short of definitively dismissing the possibility of a future leadership bid, stating, “you never know these things (standing again) until you're in the moment."
The current focus of the alleged plot is Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who faces pressure from MPs, donors, and former aides seeking his removal from office. Amidst this tumult, Kemi Badenoch's name has emerged as a potential “consensus” candidate, someone who could garner significant support across the party.
When questioned about the plot during the interview, Badenoch underscored the disruptive nature of such activities, stating, “A lot of people who are going around doing this are creating problems and difficulties that the party, and more importantly the country, does not need. I fully support the prime minister.”
She went on to address the speculators directly, asserting that those putting her name forward were not her friends and urged them to cease their involvement in what she deemed as unnecessary Westminster tittle-tattle.
“The fact of the matter is most people in the country are not interested in all of this Westminster tittle-tattle. Quite frankly, the people who keep putting my name in there are not my friends,” Badenoch stated firmly.
The situation has escalated with donors funding a poll predicting a potential Labour landslide unless Sunak is replaced as the Tory leader. Tory peer Lord Frost, who led the poll, now faces potential consequences unless he reveals the anonymous backers. Additionally, a senior Tory linked to Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, Sir Simon Clarke, publicly called for the Prime Minister's resignation.
Badenoch, expressing her frustration at the ongoing speculation, emphasized that the Tory party cannot treat prime ministers as disposable. She warned against internal divisions and called for unity, stating, “The fact of the matter is most people in the country are not interested in all of this Westminster tittle-tattle.”
However, accusations of pursuing leadership ambitions persist, with Boris ally Nadine Dorries claiming that Badenoch and another potential contender, former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, are driven by self-interest.
“She should take her own advice,” Dorries commented on Badenoch’s call for plotters to desist. Accusing both Badenoch and Jenrick of prioritizing personal ambitions, Dorries stated, “what they are out for is themselves.”
Adding to the complexities, Tim Montgomerie, who previously worked for Boris Johnson, suggested that many Tory members watching Badenoch's interview might see her as a viable leader.
The alleged plotters, referred to as the Sheekey plotters, consist of up to seven former advisers accused of orchestrating a campaign against the Prime Minister. One member, Will Dry, a former No 10 special adviser, has been publicly identified, while others reportedly threaten legal action against those revealing their identities.
The group's strategy involves a sustained campaign against the Prime Minister, examining potential vulnerabilities or ‘pain points,’ such as upcoming by-elections and the local elections scheduled for May. No 10 has labeled their attacks as the "grid of s***," a play on the Downing Street “grid” that governs the timing of government announcements.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the Tory party finds itself grappling with internal conflicts and speculation. Kemi Badenoch’s strong stance against the alleged plotters, coupled with her refusal to definitively rule out a future leadership bid, adds a layer of uncertainty to the already tumultuous situation. The coming days will likely shed more light on the fate of Rishi Sunak and the potential contenders for leadership within the Conservative Party.