Kemi Badenoch has dinner Trump’s VP as Tories eye up bolstering conservative alliance with White House

Kemi Badenoch last night met with the US Vice-President-elect, as the Conservative leader seeks to bolster her relations with the incoming Trump administration.The Leader of the Opposition had dinner with JD Vance in Washington DC to discuss their shared policy ideas. It was the second time that the pair have met, having previously met while Vance was still a Senator in Congress and Badenoch was Business Secretary.GB News understands that the pair have remained in touch since their first meeting, and over the past year have regularly exchanged texts about the Conservative leadership vote and the US Presidential election.A Badenoch ally said: “JD sees Kemi as one of those on the global right doing the deep thinking about how we reform the state.”He and Kemi are of a new generation of centre-right politicians – like Pierre Poilievre, who she met in Toronto on Friday; and Ron DeSantis, who endorsed her leadership campaign – who are using strong conservative principles to enthuse younger voters.”The dinner renewed their friendship, and Kemi and JD will continue to stay in touch as the Trump administration gets up and running.”It is understood that last night’s conversation focused on Badenoch’s beliefs that too much bureaucracy in Government is hindering economic growth.The theme was a key part of a speech Badenoch made yo the International Democracy Union Forum yesterday afternoon.”A positive alternative is needed, not just harking back to nostalgia. This project also requires the case to be made for that leaner government that stops the unnecessary growth of the state,” she said.”That growth of the state is what has been creating multiple opportunities for activists to spread left wing ideology. Too much rhetoric speaks of a smaller state as an end in itself. It is more than that. “A smaller state is a means to secure a better way of doing things, allowing bureaucracy to focus and prioritise its resources.”The best governments do a few things well, not many things badly.”Sharing a picture of the pair on social media following their meeting, Vance said: “Great to see the leader of the UK Conservatives, ⁦Kemi Badenoch⁩ during her trip to the US.”We discussed many topics, but I was unable to persuade her that coffee is much better than tea. Cheers, Kemi!”

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