KEMI Badenoch’s appointment as the new Tory leader signifies Conservative's “lurch further to the far-right” with the party determined to emulate the “gutter politics of Nigel Farage”, the SNP has said.
Badenoch was announced as the Conservative’s new leader on Saturday morning beating her leadership contestant rival Robert Jenrick by more than 10,000 votes.
However, her appointment has come under criticism with the SNP Depute Leader, Keith Brown, saying the party is now “firmly dancing to the dangerous tune of Nigel Farage”.
He said: “The election of Kemi Badenoch as leader has finalised the Tories lurch to the far right.
“Whether it’s rolling back maternity pay or targetting the rights of minorities, Badenoch’s win demonstrates how out of touch the Tories are with people across Scotland.
“The Tory party is now firmly dancing to the dangerous tune of Nigel Farage - it is essential that in Scotland Russell Findlay doesn't dance along and instead stands up for Scotland's inclusive and progressive values.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said Badenoch’s appointment as Tory leader represents the party’s “worst instincts”.
The MSP added that after a “nasty and divisive leadership contest with many unanswered questions” the MP for North West Essex’s win should be an alarm bell for Scotland.
Harvie said: “This contest has proved beyond doubt that the few remaining voices of moderate, centre-right Conservatism are now utterly marginalised in the modern Conservative Party. They seem determined to emulate the gutter politics of Farage’s far–right Reform.
He added: “She has based her campaign on a nasty culture war agenda, fuelling division and pitting communities against one another. LGBTQ+ people in particular will be deeply worried that a major party is now in the hands of someone so hostile to our human rights.
Badenoch has previously claimed it is “harmful” to teach that people can be born into a body which does not match their mind and was called out by Scottish actor David Tennant for her views at the British LGBT+ Awards.
“She’s been elected by appealing to the worst instincts of the Conservative Party,” said Harvie.
“We know that the politics she represents is no basis for building a fairer society - we have just endured 14 years of them. I’m confident that Scotland will continue to reject the politics of the Tories, no matter who’s in charge.”
