PM will probably give Isle of Wight away - says Badenoch

The leader of the Conservatives says the Prime Minister will probably give away the Isle of Wight to China during his three day visit.

Sir Keir Starmer landed in the country to boost trade ties and said said he wants "a comprehensive and consistent approach to China - which he said the Tories didn't have."

But Kemi Badenoch said the PM needs "an actual foreign policy, that's rooted in realism".

Labour MP for the Isle of Wight West, Richard Quigley said the Conservative leader was using the island for one of her "usual failed jokes" adding "I'd be surprised if she even knew she'd been to the Island".

Badenoch was taking questions from journalists and said she would not be going to China, as Sir Keir Starmer has done, if she was the prime minister.

She said: "No, not now, because I don't think that this is the time to do that.

"We need to be talking to those other countries who are worried about the threat China is posing to them."

She said: "We should be talking more to those countries who are aligned with our interests.

"Not the country that is doing everything it can to undermine our economy."

She added: "I think that is what the Prime Minister should be talking about and he needs to show strength, not approving a super-embassy which many people think is going to become a spy hub.

"He looks like he gives way every time things get difficult and that is the difference between Keir Starmer and myself."

"He's probably going to give away the Isle of Wight before he comes back", she added "let's have an actual foreign policy, one that is rooted in realism and focusing 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, Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson and shadow chancellor Mel Stride.

Quigley added: "Whilst Kemi was using the Isle of Wight as one of her usual failed jokes.

"I was with the climate minister on the Island announcing a £20m investment in Vestas wind blades."

He added: "Kemi and her pals normally only come over for a picture in front of the big flag, I'd be surprised if she even knew she'd been to the Island."

Badenoch also apologised for a party statement which made reference to Fareham and Waterlooville MP Suella Braverman's mental health following her defection to Reform UK.