In a historic victory, Kemi Badenoch was announced as the new leader of the Conservative Party on Saturday, following a four-month contest sparked by Rishi Sunak’s resignation. Badenoch’s win marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first individual of African heritage to lead the Tories, ushering in what supporters are calling a “new era” for the party.
The Conservative Party confirmed her election in a post on X, tweeting, “ANNOUNCED: @KemiBadenoch has been elected Leader of the Conservative Party.” This announcement sets the stage for what could be a transformative phase in British politics as Badenoch, at 44, takes the helm during one of the most turbulent times in recent political memory.
Badenoch emerged victorious over her opponent, Robert Jenrick, in a race that saw a 72% turnout, according to Conservative MP Bob Blackman. Despite her win, Badenoch still faces an uphill battle to win the hearts of the public. A recent YouGov poll reveals that many people have yet to form a solid opinion about her, but a sizable 40% expressed dislike for her. Nonetheless, her supporters remain steadfast, believing she has what it takes to lead the party forward.
Former justice secretary Robert Buckland, speaking in an interview with the National News, praised Badenoch’s strong character and abilities, having worked alongside her in government. “She will be an excellent person to work with,” he said, emphasizing her focus on restoring the Conservative Party’s core values and rebuilding trust. According to Buckland, Badenoch understands more than most the importance of trust for electoral success, a quality he believes gives her an edge as a leader.
However, stepping into the role as leader of the opposition is anything but a light task, and Badenoch is fully aware of the scale of the work ahead, Buckland added. Her victory not only highlights her widespread support among MPs—garnering more backing than any other candidate in the race—but also presents her with the daunting mission of uniting a fractured party while delivering a robust opposition to the current government. “People need to knuckle down and get on with the job of opposing the government, not opposing each other,” Buckland stated, echoing the need for party solidarity.
Beyond party unity, Badenoch is expected to steer the Tories in a fresh direction, tapping into the expertise of think tanks and policy units to craft innovative policies that resonate with the public. Buckland noted that while the journey ahead will be “very hard and unglamorous,” he has full confidence in Badenoch’s resilience and determination. “It’s going to be very hard, but I believe Kemi has the strength of spirit to do it,” he told the National News.
