Richard Tice has refused to say whether he would question the Englishness of Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch.
In recent days, Reform have found themselves embroiled in controversy around what it means to be English. This debate has been entirely of the party’s own making after Suella Braverman declared she did not identify as English.
During a disastrous appearance on Question Time last week, Braverman was slammed by politicians and audience members who accused her of effectively saying that only white people can be ‘English.’
The comments have been dismissed by other Reform figures such as Nadhim Zahawi, and now the party are facing repeated questions about the matter.
The latest Reform figure to face a grilling was deputy leader Richard Tice.
During an appearance on Times Radio, Tice was asked about comments from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who said she did not want her children to “hear rhetoric that makes them feel they are not part of this country.”
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Tice was then asked by presenter Stig Abell: “You wouldn’t question the Englishness of Kemi Badenoch would you?”
The Boston and Skegness refused to answer this, instead saying the Englishness debate is “something we just haven’t got time for.”
He labelled it ‘naval-gazing’ and spoke instead about the rising price of diesel.
Tice was asked again if he would question Badenoch’s Englishness – and again refused to answer.
“I’m just not talking about it, I think it’s a complete waste of time,” he said, even though a simple yes or no answer was all that was required…