Nigerian-born Kemi Badenoch has been announced as the new leader of the Conservative Party in the UK, becoming the first black woman to lead a major political party in the UK.
Born in Wimbledon and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Badenoch won with 53,806 votes, while Robert Jenrick was behind with 41,388 in the final result, the closest leadership vote in the opposition party’s history.
Badenoch takes over the leadership of the Conservatives from Rishi Sunak, former UK Prime Minister from October 2022 to July 2024, when the Party suffered its worst ever election defeat to the Labour Party as Sir Keir Starmer emerged as UK Prime Minister.
The 44-year-old North West Essex MP is also the sixth Tory leader in less than eight and a half years.
According to Sky News, Badenoch thanked the other candidates after her win, saying the party had come through the campaign “more united.”
She stated that the party’s first duty as opposition was to hold Labour to account – and also to prepare for government in the next election.
“Our party is critical to the success of our country. But to be heard, we have to be honest, honest about the fact that we made mistakes, honest about the fact that we let standards slip.
“The time has come to tell the truth, to stand up for our principles, to plan for our future, to reset our politics and our thinking, and to give our party and our country the new start that they deserve. It is time to get down to business. It is time to renew,” Badenoch said.
Congratulating Badenoch in a post on his official account on X, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, said, “The first Black leader of a Westminster party is a proud moment for our country. I look forward to working with you and your party in the interests of the British people.”
