Tory MPs Decry Near Ban on Criticizing Trump Under Kemi Badenoch's Watch

Tory MPs are complaining about Kemi Badenoch Her "controlling" strategy and her stringent prohibition on criticizing the Trump administration.

Insiders said the party leader, pictured below, did not want her ministers doing too much press. 'We feel we have to walk on eggshells,' one MP told The Mail on Sunday, describing Mrs Badenoch's office as 'controlling'.

For her frontbench role, some subjects have been deemed untouchable—especially criticizing President Trump and his key associates. An MP commented, "Kemi believes she has a friendship with Vice-President Vance and can sway the Maga supporters." However, they added, "This mindset is quite delusional."

Despite even the backbencher Tories avoiding comments on certain stories, they remain wary of potential reprimands due to instructions limiting their interactions with the media.

Another MP said: 'I feel more worried about getting told off by my party than offending the US. Russia is getting a free pass. I don't know why we're not calling that out.'

Only veteran Members of Parliament, like ex- foreign secretary In today’s edition of The Mail on Sunday, James Cleverly expresses his belief that he has the freedom to criticize the Trump administration. Last week, Members of Parliament who discreetly opposed remarks made by President Trump’s lead negotiator, Steve Witkoff, regarding Ukraine ceding territory, stated they chose not to speak out publicly as they were aware the presidential office would disapprove.

Mr. Witkoff faced accusations of 'repeating Kremlin propaganda' during an interview about the issue. The Shadow Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel, chose not to comment. Individuals near Ms. Patel stated that their silence stemmed from the belief that it would be 'diplomatically unhelpful.'

A spokesman for Mrs Badenoch said: 'Kemi has said foreign policy must act in Britain's national interest. If our domestic industries are going to avoid punishing tariffs then we must act responsibly in our approach to the US.'

If we clash with America, China will step in. licking its lips

Analysis by James Cleverly

When I went to China in 2023 as Foreign Secretary, I had a list of contentious issues to discuss, from Taiwan to Beijing's cyber activity and sanctions against British MPs. Foreign Minister Wang Yi calmly defended his government and then moved on to a charm offensive, talking about areas of potential UK-China co-operation.

His point was the UK should come out from the 'US's shadow' and not be dictated to by Washington – to drive a wedge between the UK and US, and to break what China sees as American hegemony.

But two years on and the reality is President Trump risks achieving China's objectives by destabilizing America's ties with its longstanding allies .

The networks established by Trump's predecessors during the post-war period are rapidly disintegrating. Consider how USAID, the primary U.S. foreign assistance organization created by John F. Kennedy amid the Cold War to counter Soviet power, is losing its strength. Today, it is Beijing instead of Moscow that is purchasing influence.

And, of course, there is a troubling question mark over the Trump administration's support for Nato. Defence pacts rely on predictability, and our partners in the Pacific will not be encouraged by America's behaviour to its European allies. The Marshall Plan pumped billions into post-war Europe to build Western capitalist economies, rather than Communist states linked through coercion.

If increased trade costs due to actions from America create an opportunity, China will likely step in to fulfill the resulting demand. There’s no question that President Xi welcomes these public disagreements between the U.S. and itself; this aligns with his strategic aim of marginalizing American influence globally—though this should not be part of Trump's agenda.

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