Kemi Badenoch, former Minister of Business and Trade, has become the new leader of the British Conservative Party. She is the first black woman to lead a major party in the country. After the result was announced, she announced a “reset of policy and thinking” in the party.
In the decisive round of remote voting among over 131,000 party members, Badenoch defeated former deputy immigration minister Robert Jenrick, receiving 57 percent of the valid votes, the Guardian reported.
Kemi Badenoch, the new leader of the Conservative PartyPAP/EPA/ANDY RAIN
Badenoch wants to reset politics and thinking
The 44-year-old former programmer was born in London into a family from Nigeria and spent a significant part of her childhood in this African country. He advocates low taxes, free markets and criticizes multiculturalism.
According to commentators, once Badenoch takes over, the Conservative Party will take a rightward turn compared to the more centrist direction of outgoing leader Rishi Sunak, who led the Tories to their worst-ever result in the House of Commons election in July.
“Our party is crucial to the success of our country, but to be heard we must be honest about the fact that we have made mistakes,” Badenoch said on Saturday after the results were announced.
“It is time to tell the truth, to stand up for our principles, to plan for our future, to reset our politics and thinking, and to give our party and our country the fresh start they deserve,” she added.
Kemi Badenoch, the new leader of the Conservative PartyPAP/EPA/ANDY RAIN
Prime Minister: this is a moment of pride for the country
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who heads the current Labor Party government, congratulated her on her victory. He described the election of the first black female leader of a major party as a “proud moment for our country.”
Badenoch, on the other hand, expressed respect for her rival Jenrick, praising his “energy and determination”. “I have no doubt that you have a key role to play in our party for many years to come,” she added.
Conservative Party in opposition
According to data quoted by the Guardian, over 131,600 members of the party were entitled to vote in the final round of the Conservative Party leader's election and cast their votes online or by post. Turnout was 72.8 percent.
In July, the Conservative Party suffered the biggest defeat in the House of Commons elections in its history, receiving less than 24 percent of the votes, losing over 200 seats and winning only 121 of them. The party found itself in opposition for the first time in 14 years.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/ANDY RAIN