A forthcoming book by political historian Sir Anthony Seldon alleges that Kemi Badenoch, currently the leader of the Conservative Party, sought to remove Rishi Sunak from his position as Prime Minister before the party's defeat in the 2024 general election. According to Seldon, the internal tension stemmed from a personal dislike, with Badenoch reportedly describing Sunak as 'rude' and expressing a desire to 'bring him down' to change the party's direction.

The claims suggest that these maneuvers were part of a broader period of instability within the Conservative government as it faced declining poll numbers. While Seldon’s account frames these actions as a deliberate plot to oust the then-Prime Minister, it does not detail specific legislative or procedural steps taken to execute such a plan. The report highlights the internal fractures that characterized the final months of the Conservative administration, which ultimately culminated in a landslide victory for the Labour Party.

As of now, there has been no official response from Badenoch regarding the specific allegations made in Seldon's book. The narrative underscores the intense pressure and internal competition that existed within the Conservative ranks during a period of electoral vulnerability. Because the claims originate from a single source—Seldon’s upcoming publication—the extent of these alleged efforts remains a matter of historical interpretation rather than verified political record.