# QUENTIN LETTS: Commodore Kemi stood on HMS Wellington and lined up her targets. ‘Commence fire!’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/quentin-letts-commodore-kemi-stood-on-hms-wellington-and-lined-up-her-targets-commence-fire/
- Published: 2026-11-03T23:05:12+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-03T23:26:50+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16262941/QUENTIN-LETTS-Commodore-Kemi-stood-HMS-Wellington-lined-targets-Commence-fire.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Badenoch criticised Labour’s defence record at a rally aboard HMS Wellington.
- She called for more balanced teaching of British history.
- About 80 supporters attended, carrying “Cut Welfare, Fund Defence” placards.

## Summary

Kemi Badenoch used a rally aboard the retired HMS Wellington on London’s Embankment to criticise the Labour government’s approach to defence, saying it was complacent and not serious. She also argued that schools should teach a more balanced account of British history, defended the Royal Navy’s role in ending slavery, and challenged Nigel Farage to speak up for Ukraine.

The article describes a windblown event attended by about 80 Conservative supporters, with the ship’s movement and a Chinook helicopter making speeches difficult to hear. Badenoch pointed to a letter from John Healey, now Chancellor, in which he had called for higher defence spending while in opposition; supporters carried placards reading “Cut Welfare, Fund Defence”. She also took aim at gender-identity politics and Angela Rayner’s remarks about stocking an emergency larder.

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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.