Kemi Badenoch has made history by becoming the first Black woman to lead the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party. The former Business Secretary won a competitive leadership race against Robert Jenrick, securing a victory with 53,806 votes to Jenrick’s 41,388.
Her win, announced early Saturday morning, comes at a crucial time for the Conservative Party as it faces a significant need to rebuild following its heaviest election defeat to date.
Badenoch steps into her new role with a clear vision for the party’s future. Throughout her campaign, she emphasized a return to “first principles,” pledging to initiate comprehensive reviews in the coming months aimed at reshaping the party’s policies. This approach, she argues, is essential to re-establishing the party’s core values and reconnecting with its base after recent political setbacks.
As the Member of Parliament for North West Essex, Badenoch is no stranger to bold moves and strong rhetoric. Her supporters appreciate her outspoken stance on various issues, especially her critiques of identity politics and her calls for a smaller state. These positions have endeared her to a segment of the Conservative Party that advocates for a firm shift to the right, believing this will resonate with voters who feel disconnected from the party’s current direction.
At the announcement, Badenoch addressed her supporters directly, saying, “The time has come to tell the truth. It is time to get down to business, it is time to renew.” Her words resonated with many who view her as a leader capable of taking decisive action. She also acknowledged the challenges ahead, including the critical task of uniting a party that has seen six leaders in under nine years.
Badenoch’s leadership style has often placed her at odds with mainstream media and even with some figures within the government. Known for her straightforward manner, she has had confrontational exchanges with media personalities and public figures, yet this has bolstered her appeal among those who view her as someone unafraid to challenge the status quo. Her reputation as a politician who “speaks her mind” aligns well with her base’s desire for a leader who will act boldly in navigating the party’s future.
Looking ahead, Badenoch outlined her primary goals, saying, “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.”
