Kemi Badenoch was elected as the new leader of the UK Conservative Party on Saturday, succeeding Rishi Sunak after his resignation following the party’s poor performance in the July general election. Badenoch, known for her strong stance against “woke” policies, won the leadership race with 57% of the vote, defeating former immigration minister Robert Jenrick.
Badenoch, 44, expressed her gratitude, calling the election “an enormous honour” but acknowledged the challenges ahead.
“The task that stands before us is tough,” she admitted.
Reflecting on the party’s recent struggles, she added, “We have to be honest about the fact we made mistakes and let standards slip. It is time to get down to business, it is time to renew.”
The new Conservative leader now faces the significant task of uniting a divided party and rebuilding public support. The Conservatives were defeated in July after 14 years in power, leaving them weakened and with fewer seats in the House of Commons. Badenoch, who previously served as the equalities minister, will step into the role of Leader of the Opposition, facing Labour Party leader Keir Starmer during the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions in Parliament.
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Badenoch’s leadership campaign focused on returning to traditional conservative values. She has openly criticized the party’s recent liberal stance on issues like gender identity, positioning herself as a “straight-talker” — a quality that has stirred controversy.
Speaking on immigration, she remarked that “not all cultures are equally valid” in the context of who should be allowed to live in the UK, a statement that drew both support and criticism.
Badenoch also sparked debate by calling statutory maternity pay for small businesses “excessive” and by joking that 10% of the UK’s 500,000 civil servants “should be in prison.”
With her win, Badenoch faces challenges not only from Labour but also from within her own party. Many Conservative members lean toward centrist positions, potentially leading to friction as Badenoch promotes a right-wing platform. Additionally, she will need to address the growing influence of Reform UK, a right-wing party led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage.
Badenoch’s personal background has also drawn attention. Born in London to Nigerian parents and raised partly in Lagos, she brings a unique perspective to British politics. Her stance on issues of identity and culture resonates with her call for a renewed focus on conservative principles.