Kemi Badenoch has been elected as the new leader of the Conservative Party after a four-month race to replace Rishi Sunak. Known for her willingness to speak her mind, Badenoch received 53,806 votes in the election, while Robert Jenrick trailed behind with 41,388 votes. Badenoch emphasized the need for honesty within the party and the recognition of past mistakes, as well as paying tribute to her rival. The party is now looking to recover from a disappointing general election in July where they only returned 121 MPs and lost seats to other parties.
In her acceptance speech, Badenoch described the Conservative Party as a “family” and emphasized it is more than just a membership organization to her. Rishi Sunak congratulated Badenoch on her election, urging the party to unite behind her as she takes on the role of leader of the opposition. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also congratulated Badenoch, noting that she is the first black leader of a Westminster party. The original lineup for Tory leader included other candidates such as Dame Priti Patel, Mel Stride, Tom Tugendhat, and James Cleverly.
During the party conference in Birmingham, Badenoch and Jenrick found themselves embroiled in controversies. Badenoch had to assert her support for maternity pay after making controversial comments, while Jenrick faced scrutiny over claims he made about UK special forces. Despite expectations that Cleverly may be the frontrunner following the conference, he did not make it to the final two, with Jenrick and Badenoch being the remaining candidates. The party is now looking towards the future and focusing on uniting behind the new leader in order to rebuild and strengthen their position.
With a turnout rate of 72.8% and 655 rejected ballots, the election of Badenoch as the Conservative Party leader marks a significant moment in the party’s history. Her recognition as the leader of the opposition comes at a critical time as the party aims to bounce back from the setbacks of the previous general election. Badenoch’s leadership will no doubt shape the future direction of the Conservative Party and its approach to key issues facing the country. As she takes on the role, there will be expectations and challenges to navigate, but her willingness to speak her mind and confront difficult truths may prove to be a valuable asset in leading the party forward.
