I joined the Tories for the partying, says Kemi Badenoch

"party aspect of it - socialising, drinks, hanging out with other young people"

"I think defections are part of the ship being steadied. And while it is always sad to lose people who used to be on the team, losing people who were not team players and were more focused about their own personal ambition rather than the country's ambition is actually helpful for showing what kind of party we are."

"Quite often, the thing you're doing for the long term is not that helpful in the short term."

Kemi Badenoch joined the Conservative Party for socialising, drinks and hanging out with other young people after university when her friends had dispersed. She met her husband through Conservative membership and dedicated Wet Wet Wet's "Love is All Around" to him. The interview was recorded on 19 January following several high-profile defections to Reform UK. Badenoch described defections as part of steadying the party and suggested losing members focused on personal ambition could clarify party identity. She became leader in 2024 after the party's worst election defeat and seeks a long-term strategy to win back voters while accepting interim setbacks. Her musical selections included songs from Hamilton and Baz Luhrmann's "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)."

Read at www.bbc.com