PM will probably give Isle of Wight away

The Conservative leader says the Prime Minister will likely cede the Isle of Wight to China during his three-day visit.

Sir Keir Starmer landed in the country to strengthen trade ties and said he wanted “a comprehensive, coherent approach to China – something he said the Conservatives did not have”.

But Kemi Badenoch said the prime minister needed “a real foreign policy, rooted in realism”.

Isle of Wight West Labor MP Richard Quigley said the Tory leader was using the island for one of his “usual failed jokes”, adding “I would be surprised if she even knew she had been to the island”.

Badenoch was answering questions from journalists and said she would not go to China, as Sir Keir Starmer did, if she were prime minister.

She said, “No, not now, because I don’t think now is the time to do that.

“We need to talk to other countries who are concerned about the threat China poses to them.”

She said: “We should talk more to countries that match our interests.

“This is not the country that is doing everything it can to undermine our economy.”

She added: “I think this is what the Prime Minister should be talking about and showing strength, not endorsing a super-embassy which many think is going to become a spy centre.

“He seems to give in every time things get difficult and that’s the difference between Keir Starmer and me.”

“He will probably hand over the Isle of Wight before he returns,” she added, “let’s have a real foreign policy, rooted in realism and focused on Britain’s national interest.”

Badenoch visited the Isle of Wight in August when she met local businesses with Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, East Isle of Wight MP Joe Robertson and Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride.

Quigley added: “While Kemi used the Isle of Wight as one of his usual failed jokes.

“I was with the Climate Minister on the island to announce a £20 million investment in Vestas wind blades.”

He added: “Kemi and her pals normally only come for a photo in front of the big flag, I’d be surprised if she even knew she’d been to the island.”

Badenoch also apologized for a party statement referring to the mental health of Fareham and Waterlooville MP Suella Braverman following her defection to Reform UK.

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