British-Nigerian Kemi Badenoch has been elected the new leader of the UK Conservative Party, succeeding Rishi Sunak.
According to the BBC, Badenoch won with 53,806 votes against Robert Jenrick’s 41,388, out of a total 131,680 eligible voters, marking a new chapter for the Conservatives after their significant defeat in July.
In her victory speech, Ms. Badenoch expressed deep gratitude for the support she received, calling it an “honour to lead the party that I love and that has given me so much.”
She also pledged to repay the confidence placed in her and acknowledged her predecessor, saying, “No one worked harder in such difficult times” and wished Mr. Sunak well.
Ms. Badenoch praised Mr. Jenrick, stating, “We have all been impressed by your energy and your determination.” She outlined her vision for the Conservatives, saying the task is “tough, but simple.” She emphasized the party’s responsibility to hold the current Labour government accountable while also preparing for potential governance in the years ahead, saying, “That huge job begins today.”
The announcement of her victory was met with congratulatory messages, including from Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, who hailed her as the first Black leader of a major UK political party, calling it a “historic moment.” However, he also noted that many voters see the Conservatives as “divided, out-of-touch, and unable to address past failures.” Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, criticized Ms. Badenoch’s record, claiming she failed to stand up for British citizens on issues like immigration, NHS waiting times, and rising taxes.
During her campaign, Ms. Badenoch promised to steer the Conservatives back to their core values, saying she would initiate a series of reviews to shape a new policy agenda. Now the sixth Conservative leader in less than nine years, she faces the challenge of uniting a fractured party. Ending her speech, Ms. Badenoch urged her party, “It’s time to tell the truth and get down to business.”
