Kemi Badenoch, the first Black leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, made headlines after her meeting with U.S. Vice President-elect JD Vance during a trip to Washington, D.C.
While the meeting was widely seen as a success for Badenoch, it reportedly created tension within former President Donald Trump’s camp, with concerns over allegiances to UK political factions.
Badenoch and Vance, who have cultivated a rapport since their first meeting last year, discussed shared concerns over the bureaucratic state and its impact on economic growth.
Their hour-long discussion drew on themes from Badenoch’s recent speech at the International Democracy Union conference.
Vance, taking to social media, posted a friendly message about the meeting, humorously attempting to sway Badenoch’s preference for tea over coffee. Badenoch responded warmly, retweeting his post.
However, some within Trump’s circle criticized the meeting, viewing it as a distraction.
A source from “Team Trump” dismissed the significance of Vance’s interaction with Badenoch, according to a report by The Independent, suggesting Trump remains indifferent to the UK’s Conservative Party, which suffered a historic defeat in July.
Tensions were further fueled by speculation that Trump’s political focus might shift toward Nigel Farage and Reform UK.
Farage, known for his close ties to Trump, has reportedly sought to position himself as a key ally of the former president.
While Trump himself was unavailable for a meeting with Badenoch due to his attendance at the Notre Dame reopening in Paris, sources suggested his attention remains firmly on his long-standing relationship with Farage.
Despite the discord, Badenoch’s Washington visit also included meetings with prominent Republican figures like House Speaker Mike Johnson, solidifying her connections within the U.S. political landscape.
Allies of Badenoch praised her growing influence among conservative leaders worldwide, highlighting her ability to engage younger voters with a modernized vision of center-right politics.
The fallout underscores a broader ideological divide within conservative movements on both sides of the Atlantic.
As Badenoch seeks to rebuild her party’s standing, her relationships with leaders like Vance and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis could prove pivotal, while Trump’s inner circle grapples with its stance toward UK politics.
