Ramos Leo
Speaking to presenter Lauren Laverne, Badenoch explained that after graduating from university, her friendship group had dispersed "all over the world." In search of new connections and a vibrant social scene, she perceived joining the local Conservative association as "a fun thing to do." What began as a casual pursuit of post-university camaraderie quickly blossomed into a deeper engagement, ultimately shaping her future. It was through her involvement with the party’s social events and youth wing that she met her husband, Hamish Badenoch. Their shared journey in politics became a cornerstone of their relationship, a sentiment she encapsulated by dedicating Wet Wet Wet’s enduring hit, "Love is All Around," to him during the programme.
The interview, recorded on January 19, took place during a tumultuous period for the Conservative Party, just a week after a series of high-profile defections to Reform UK, including former minister Robert Jenrick. This backdrop of internal strife and external challenge lent particular weight to Badenoch’s reflections on party loyalty and leadership. Faced with questions about how she intended to "steady the Tory ship," Badenoch adopted a strikingly unsentimental approach. "I think defections are part of the ship being steadied," she asserted, articulating a philosophy that views departures as a necessary pruning rather than a weakening. She continued, "And while it is always sad to lose people who used to be on the team, losing people who were not team players and were more focused about their own personal ambition rather than the country’s ambition is actually helpful for showing what kind of party we are." This suggests a leader willing to accept short-term pain for long-term ideological clarity and unity, aiming to define the Conservative Party by its commitment to shared national goals over individual advancement.
Badenoch’s ascension to the leadership in 2024 followed the Conservative Party’s most devastating general election defeat in its history. Since then, the political landscape has continued to shift dramatically, with the party’s standing in opinion polls plummeting further, even being overtaken by the burgeoning Reform UK. The subsequent 2025 local elections delivered another series of crushing blows, underscoring the monumental task she faces. Despite these formidable challenges, Badenoch expressed an unwavering commitment to the party’s enduring legacy. Emphasizing the Conservative Party’s more than two-century existence, she stated that her "mission" upon being elected leader was to "make sure that we didn’t just disappear." She acknowledged that her approach involved a "long-term strategy" to regain public trust and win back voters, a path she admitted would inevitably involve "setbacks in between." In a pragmatic assessment of political reality, she noted, "Quite often, the thing you’re doing for the long term is not that helpful in the short term," signaling a willingness to make unpopular decisions or endure temporary dips in popularity if they align with her broader vision for the party’s resurgence. This long-term strategy likely involves a rigorous re-evaluation of core Conservative principles, a concerted effort to reconnect with disillusioned voters, and potentially a recalibration of policy to address contemporary concerns while staying true to what she sees as the party’s fundamental values.
Her musical selections for the programme offered further insights into her character and experiences. Among them was "The Story of Tonight" from the acclaimed musical Hamilton, a choice she revealed resonated deeply with her first bid for the Conservative Party leadership in 2022. She recounted how a "renegade group of junior ministers," united by frustration with the political status quo, had all resigned and urged her to stand. "They said you’ve got to stand, you’re the only one that would do well and we will support you," she recalled. Despite her initial reservations, dismissing it as a "mad idea" unlikely to succeed, their camaraderie and shared sense of purpose convinced her. "And I said, this is a mad idea. It’s not going to work and they said, don’t worry, we’re all in it together and if we look stupid, we’ll all look stupid together." This anecdote paints a picture of a leader forged in a crucible of collective defiance, valuing loyalty and shared risk-taking. Badenoch was indeed a prominent figure in the mass resignation of ministers that ultimately led to Boris Johnson’s departure from office in July 2022, a period of intense political drama.
Another intriguing choice was Baz Luhrmann’s 1997 spoken word hit, "Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)." Badenoch praised the Australian film director’s advice as still "relevant" and "very sympathetic to politicians." She quoted a particularly poignant line: "It says ‘accept certain inalienable truths – prices will rise, politicians will philander and you too will get old’." For Badenoch, this served as a potent reminder of life’s fleeting nature and the importance of focusing on what truly matters. "I always thought about that as being very helpful in thinking about life going quickly. I will get old too. What do I want?" she mused, hinting at a philosophical underpinning to her political drive, perhaps a desire to leave a meaningful legacy rather than chase ephemeral power. Other musical selections included Michael Jackson’s "Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough" (her castaway’s favourite), Sam Cooke’s "Wonderful World," Aled Jones’s "Be Still in the Presence of the Lord," Alex Warren’s "Carry You Home," and a second Hamilton track, "Dear Theodosia," each likely holding personal significance that contributes to her complex public persona.
Badenoch’s parliamentary journey began in 2017 when she secured the Essex seat of Saffron Walden for the Conservatives. She candidly addressed the challenge of convincing local party members to select her as their candidate despite having no prior links to the area. Her success, she believes, lay in her authentic and humorous approach. "They tell me that I was funny, I was very honest, I wasn’t trying to be something I wasn’t," she explained. Her opening gambit – "I could pretend that my family has been here since, you know, the Battle of Hastings, but I don’t think anyone here would believe me" – immediately endeared her to the audience, eliciting laughter. This directness, she suggested, resonated deeply with the local temperament. "They said later on that this is someone who’s just herself. And Essex is like that. Essex is very much my personality – I call myself an Essex girl," she declared, embracing a regional identity often associated with plain speaking and resilience.
Her family’s reactions to her political career further illuminated her motivations. Her father, who passed away in 2022 just months before her first leadership bid, was immensely proud of her foray into politics, reportedly telling her: "I know you’re going to go all the way." This paternal encouragement undoubtedly fueled her ambition. In stark contrast, her mother was initially dismayed, "tearing her hair out" at the prospect. "She was like, why would you do this… you’ve got a good job… why do you want to go into this horrible career," Badenoch recalled. Her mother held a "very, very dim view of politicians thinking they were all out for themselves." This stark difference in parental perspectives seems to have instilled in Badenoch a powerful personal mission: "I think part of what I’m trying to do now in politics is to prove to her that politicians can be good people." This desire to redeem the reputation of politicians, perhaps for her mother’s sake, adds a profound personal layer to her public service.
Born in London, Badenoch’s formative years were spent largely in Nigeria, with periods in the United States where her mother lectured. Despite her international upbringing, she described her childhood as deeply steeped in British culture, characterizing it as "sort of the last embers of empire and the colonial era." British television was a constant presence: "Everything on telly was BBC," she said, reminiscing about watching classics like the sitcom "Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em" and "Doctor Who," the latter igniting a lifelong passion for science fiction. This love for the genre influenced her luxury item choice for the island: the 22 films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Infinity Saga.
Her early reading also included Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers series, which depicted the idyllic lives of girls at a Cornish boarding school. This created an "unrealistic expectation" for her own boarding school experience. The reality, she revealed, was far grimmer. "It was more like Lord of the Flies or Borstal," she said, painting a vivid picture of a harsh environment where "every girl there had a machete, in order to cut the grass." This stark contrast between expectation and reality, between the romanticized image of British boarding schools and the raw practicality of her own experience, likely shaped her pragmatic outlook and resilience.
Kemi Badenoch’s Desert Island Discs appearance painted a portrait of a political leader who is complex, driven, and refreshingly candid. From her casual entry into politics for social reasons to her unwavering determination to steer the Conservative Party through its darkest hour, her journey is marked by personal conviction and a pragmatic understanding of the political landscape. Her personal anecdotes, musical choices, and reflections on her upbringing collectively reveal a leader who is both deeply committed to public service and acutely aware of the human frailties and challenges that define both personal life and political ambition.
Kemi Badenoch’s choices in full:
Disc one: The Story of Tonight – Original Broadway cast of Hamilton
Disc two: Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson
Disc three: Wonderful World – Sam Cooke
Disc four: Be Still in the Presence of the Lord – Aled Jones and the English Session Orchestra
Disc five: Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen – Baz Luhrman
Disc six: Love is All Around – Wet Wet Wet
Disc seven: Carry You Home – Alex Warren
Disc eight: Dear Theodosia – Original Broadway cast of Hamilton
Book choice: Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackery
Luxury item: The 22 movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Infinity Saga
Castaway’s favourite: Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson
You can listen to the full episode of Desert Island Discs on Radio 4 at 10:00 GMT and after that on BBC Sounds.
George Anjay
Nakalama John
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