Kemi Badenoch Becomes First African To Win Britain’s Conservative Leadership Election
Kemi Badenoch has emerged as the new leader of the Conservative Party, succeeding Rishi Sunak following his resignation after a significant electoral defeat. Badenoch, who is 44 years old, has made history as the first person of African heritage to lead the party.
The leadership contest, which spanned four months, concluded with Badenoch defeating Robert Jenrick. Turnout for the election was reported at 72%, as noted by Conservative MP Bob Blackman. Despite her victory, a YouGov poll indicated that many voters have yet to form a solid opinion of Badenoch; 40% of those surveyed expressed negative views about her.
Supporters of Badenoch, including former justice secretary Robert Buckland, praised her capabilities and character. Buckland highlighted her understanding of the need to reset the party’s values to regain public trust, which he deemed essential for electoral success. He acknowledged the challenges ahead, describing the role of opposition leader as “unenviable” but expressing confidence in Badenoch’s ability to navigate the complexities of uniting the party and effectively opposing the current government.
As Badenoch takes on this critical leadership role, there are hopes for a “new phase in politics” within the Conservative Party, with an emphasis on collaboration and innovative policy development.
Buckland encouraged her to engage with think tanks and policy experts to forge a path forward, recognizing that the work will be challenging yet vital for the party’s future.
