# Richard Whitehead says Badenoch’s welfare argument misuses his achievements

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/double-amputee-marathon-runner-criticises-badenoch-for-weaponising-his-success/
- Published: 2026-11-11T19:07:36+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T19:49:26+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/nov/11/double-amputee-runner-richard-whitehead-badenoch-weaponising-success-welfare
- Topics: Politics, World

## Key points

- Whitehead says Badenoch misused his achievements to argue for welfare cuts.
- He warns individual success does not reflect the barriers others face.
- The Conservatives propose £36bn in welfare savings.

## Summary

Paralympian Richard Whitehead has criticised Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for citing double amputees who run marathons while arguing for proposed welfare cuts. He said using his sporting achievements to suggest that people with disabilities should work was divisive and risked justifying the removal of support from people who need it.

Badenoch proposed £36bn in welfare cuts, saying some people facing serious challenges can contribute to society. The Conservatives say savings would include ending disability living allowance payments to families of children with milder behavioural disorders, learning disabilities or ADHD. Whitehead, a double amputee who has run more than 100 marathons and won four Paralympic medals, invited Badenoch to discuss the barriers disabled and neurodivergent people face.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.