A TORY veteran sparked fury today after claiming that Kemi Badenoch shouldn’t be the next opposition chief because she’s a mum.
Sir Christopher Chope, 77, was accused of being “unhinged” and a “dinosaur” following comments that Ms Badenoch, 44, is “preoccupied with her children”.
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In an interview with ITV Meridian he added that “you can’t spend all your time with your family at the same time as being leader of the opposition”.
Sir Christopher, who is backing Robert Jenrick in the leadership race, said: “As much as I like Kemi I think she’s preoccupied with her own children.
“Robert’s children are a bit older and I think it’s important that whoever leads the opposition has an immense amount of time and energy.”
Doubling down on the remark, the grandee added: “I understand from talking to colleagues that Kemi spends a lot of time with her family.
“I don’t resent that at all but the consequence is you can’t spend all your time with your family at the same time as being leader of the opposition.
“It’s a perfectly fair point.”
Ms Badenoch, has two daughters and one son with husband Hamish, who works for Deutsche Bank and was a Tory councillor from 2014 to 2018.
Sir Christopher, who has been an MP for 27 years, has a daughter and son with wife Christine.
Ms Badenoch’s leadership rival Mr Jenrick has three kids with his wife Michal.
Politicians across the Commons today slammed Sir Christopher over the “unhinged” remarks and accused him of being a dinosaur.
Labour MP Helena Dollimore said: “I thought nothing could shock me about the state of the Conservative Party, but that was before I had to sit through Christopher Chope MP opining about whether mothers can lead political parties.
“I hope Robert Jenrick distances himself from these unhinged comments.”
Labour’s Josh Simons MP said: “What fusty, patronising nonsense.
“I’ve campaigned on parental leave and childcare, with hundreds of other Dads.
“Same old Tories.”
Shadow Health Minister Victoria Atkins, who is backing Mr Jenrick, hit out at fellow supporter Sir Christopher: “This is the 2020s, not the 1950s.
“All working mums and dads juggle family, career and general life. That one of our final two impressive candidates also happens to be a mum reflects the modern Conservative Party and modern life.
“Here’s to all working mums.”
Ms Badenoch has previously stirred controversy on the issue of motherhood and working after she branded maternity pay “excessive” and urged mothers to show “more personal responsibility”.
Earlier this month the leadership hopeful warned businesses are being crippled by the “burden of regulation”, hinting generous maternity benefits are part of the problem.
The long drawn out race to replace Rishi Sunak will finally come to a head on November 2, after party members vote to crown one of the final two.
Both wannabe leaders will first face a head-to-head debate on GB News tonight.
Tory leadership results – fourth round
THE fourth round results:
Kemi Badenoch: 42
Robert Jenrick: 41
James Cleverly: 37
How the contest works:
September 4: First round of Tory MP voting to eliminate one candidate
September 10: Second round of Tory MP voting to eliminate one candidate
September 29 – October 2: Final four candidates make their pitches at Conservative party conference in Birmingham
October 8: Third round of Tory MP voting to eliminate one candidate
October 9: Fourth round of Tory MP voting to eliminate one candidate. The final two go to a vote of the wider party membership.
November 2: New Tory leader announced
