Kemi Badenoch, former Business Secretary, has been elected the new leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, defeating Robert Jenrick in the final leadership vote.
This makes her the first Black woman to head a major British political party, taking on leadership during a challenging period as the Conservatives recover from a historic election loss.
Badenoch won 53,806 votes to Jenrick’s 41,388, with the results revealed by the party on Saturday morning. She takes over from Rishi Sunak as leader of the opposition, vowing to steer the Conservatives back to “first principles” and announcing plans for a series of policy reviews in the coming months.
Representing North West Essex, Badenoch is the sixth Conservative leader in less than nine years, and she now faces the task of uniting a divided party. Addressing her supporters at the final count, she stated, “The time has come to tell the truth. It is time to get down to business, it is time to renew.”
Known for her direct approach, Badenoch’s focus on conservative values and reducing state involvement has attracted a loyal following. Her stances on identity politics and other issues resonate with those in the party who support a stronger shift to the right to re-engage with disillusioned voters.
Badenoch’s history of challenging exchanges with the media and public figures has only strengthened her appeal among Conservatives who are skeptical of institutional and media influence. Reflecting on her win and her goals for the party, she said, “The task that stands before us is tough but simple. Our first responsibility as His Majesty’s loyal opposition is to hold this Labour government to account. Our second is no less important; it is to prepare over the course of the next few years for government.”
