Kemi Badenoch has become the new leader of the Conservative Party, securing a narrow victory over Robert Jenrick with 56% of the 95,000 votes cast by party members. This win makes her the first Black leader of a major UK political party and the fourth woman to lead the Tories. The election, which saw a 73% voter turnout, marks a pivotal moment following the party’s disappointing performance in the July elections where they were reduced to 121 MPs.
In her victory speech in central London, Badenoch, who has served as an MP since 2017 and was the shadow housing secretary, emphasized the need for the Conservative Party to acknowledge past mistakes and uphold higher standards to regain voter support. She outlined her leadership strategy, focusing on holding the current Labour government accountable and preparing for future governance with clear Conservative policies and implementation plans.
The leadership contest began with six candidates and was marked by intensive campaigns and internal voting among Tory MPs, which eventually narrowed down to Badenoch and Jenrick. Despite the competitive nature of the race, Badenoch praised Jenrick’s contributions and hinted at a significant role for him in her shadow cabinet.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey congratulated Badenoch on her historic win, highlighting it as a proud moment for the country. The leadership change comes at a critical time as the party aims to unify and strategize ahead of the next general election.
