Ella Henderson sparks furious debate after performing at Tory Party conference
Ella Henderson’s Tory conference performance sparked a fierce debate. (Getty)
Ella Henderson is facing fierce backlash after she performed at the Conservative Party conference just weeks after taking to the stage at Pride festivals.
The former X Factor star made an appearance at the Tory conference in Birmingham on Tuesday (4 October) as a guest of UK Music and TikTok – but the performance didn’t go dow so well with social media commenters.
Many were quick to criticise the singer for aligning herself with the Conservative Party, with some condemning the Tories for being anti-LGBTQ+.
Twitter was flooded with angry comments after her a clip of Henderson’s performance went viral, with many calling her out for performing at Pride festivals and for subsequently agreeing to perform at the conference.
When Ella Henderson sang “the ghost of you it keeps me awake” she meant Thatcher
— Liam ? (@LiamGaughan98) October 5, 2022
gays to Ella Henderson after her Tory conference performance pic.twitter.com/PXUmI8YoAK— Louis Staples (@LouisStaples) October 5, 2022
So prides aren’t gonna be booking Ella Henderson again are they? Performing for Tory conference when they have rolled back on every promise and actively ignored people on the GRA reforms consultation is a load of sheeeeeiiite mate— Divina De Campo stream DECODED (@Divinadecampo) October 5, 2022
Ella Henderson performing on the B Stage at 57,000 Prides a year and pretending to be an ally pic.twitter.com/F4Vxpg9Xhm— jack rem x (@jackremmington) October 5, 2022
Ella Henderson performing at a Tory conference just weeks after she did a string of Pride events… pic.twitter.com/dubOkM98WC
— Steven Bonaventure x (@absolutegazelle) October 5, 2022
Ella Henderson looking at her notifications today pic.twitter.com/6WSY2SSP3r— jack rem x (@jackremmington) October 5, 2022
Ella Henderson attended Tory conference as guest of UK Music
In the face of mounting backlash, a spokesperson for UK Music – which organised Henderson’s appearance at the conference – said her performance didn’t mean she was aligned with the party.
“Ella Henderson performed as a guest of UK Music and TikTok at the Conservative Party conference, following a similar event at the Labour Party conference the week before,” a spokesperson told the Daily Mail.
“Ella was due to perform at the Labour Party conference as well but had to pull out due to illness.”
The spokesperson added: “These events do not indicate political affiliation and are held to highlight the importance of the UK’s music sector and the success of our talent on a global stage.
“It’s vital that those in government and opposition appreciate the importance of the UK music industry both economically and culturally and that’s why UK Music – which is the representative body for the sector – exists and works on the industry’s behalf.”
The “Ghost” singer has not yet personally commented on the backlash.
Henderson rose to fame on the 2012 season of The X Factor. She later went on a lengthy hiatus before releasing her second album in March.
