One of the Tory party’s most controversial figures, Kemi Badenoch, has stated that parenting is a “two-person job”. Her statement was in response to Tory backbencher Sir Christopher Chope, who declared his support of Ms Badenoch’s opponent Robert Jenrick for party leadership. Chopes remarks, in which he said Badenoch was too “preoccupied with her kids” to lead, rightfully drew a considerable amount of public criticism and accusations of sexism by multiple commentators. 

Shadow health secretary Victoria Atkins posted on Twitter/X: 

“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."

During his statement to ITV, the Christchurch MP even added in reference to Badenoch “you can’t spend all your time with your family” while leader of the opposition… As much as I like Kemi, she is preoccupied with her own children, quite understandably."

The 44-year-old leadership hopeful shares 3 children aged 5 to 12 with her husband, Cambridge alumni and former Conservative councillor Hamish Badenoch. Whilst her opponent Jenrick is also a parent, his children are slight older, between the ages of 8 and 13, which Chope suggested would make Jenrick a more present leader. 

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Kemi recently took the time to dismiss the remarks herself, when asked whether she could be both a mother and a party leader she stated:

“Of course you can. I love my children. I have the most beautiful children in the world. I want to spend as much time with them as possible…

I was able to be a great business secretary and trade secretary and equalities minister, effectively doing three jobs while balancing my home life. If I can do that, I can do this too”

When asked what she would say to Chope, Badenoch called out the sexism embedded in his statements, stating:

"I might remind him that it isn't always women who have parental responsibilities, men do too…

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Early on as an MP, I did a lot of casework on absent fathers pursued by the Child Support Agency. If people have children, they should be made to look after them. Family is important.

The vast majority of the male prison population didn't grow up with their fathers. If fathers took better care of their children, they'd be less likely to end up in prison.“

These are the issues we need to discuss more."

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Kemi's right about a few things this time, the disproportionate pressure placed on women in government is present in most industries in the country and contributes to why so many working-women are reluctant to pursue motherhood. Roughly 76% of the prison population in England and Wales have absent fathers and yet despite it not being the "1950s" public dialogue on parenting still pivots the mother solely. Nappies are one thing, but as a woman of the 2020s, I think I speak for us all when I say this is the sh*t we want to change!