By Joke Kujenya
KEMI BADENOCH has made history as the first black woman to lead a major political party in the United Kingdom (UK), winning the Conservative leadership race against Robert Jenrick.
Her victory follows a critical time for the Conservatives, who suffered their worst election loss under former leader Rishi Sunak, garnering only 24% of the vote and reduced to 121 seats.
Badenoch, representing Saffron Walden, secured 53,806 votes against Jenrick’s 41,388 after a contentious campaign, which brought sharp divides within the party to light.
Also, the Conservative new leader has pledged to rebuild the party and regain the trust of voters after her victory in the leadership contest.
Badenoch’s win is reported to mark a significant moment in British politics, as she becomes the first Black woman to lead a major UK party, and the first Tory leader since Rishi Sunak, who resigned after guiding the party to its largest defeat in July’s general election.
The four-month leadership race eventually concluded Saturday, November 2 with a close result that showcased the Conservative Party’s divided state.
Calls for Unity and Trust
In her acceptance speech, Badenoch, 44, called for unity and urged party members to focus on “first principles” to restore Conservative values and voter confidence.
“It’s time to renew this party,” she said, “We must acknowledge past mistakes and re-establish trust with the British public.”
Badenoch faces a considerable task as the party’s sixth leader in less than nine years, inheriting a membership base at an all-time low, with numbers falling from 172,000 in 2022 to just 132,000.
The general election earlier this year saw the Conservatives reduced to 121 seats in Parliament, with their vote share slipping to under 24%.
This historic loss sent thousands of Conservative voters to other parties, including Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK, while many others stayed away from the polls entirely.
In response to the Conservative Party’s struggle with voter dissatisfaction, Badenoch emphasized the need to prioritize traditional values and fundamental conservative ideals.
During her campaign, she refrained from introducing specific policies, instead promoting a return to the “first principles” of the Conservative platform, signaling her intent to redefine the party’s direction over the coming months.
Observers are now watching for her choice of key shadow cabinet members, with Badenoch expected to announce her appointments by midweek ahead of her first debate with Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Parliament.
In a speech acknowledging the need for party renewal, Badenoch urged Conservatives to “be honest” with the public, admitting that years in power had led to “slipping standards.”
She pointed out the importance of addressing past mistakes to pave the way forward, an appeal that resonated with a faction of the party disillusioned by previous leadership.
Acknowledging the Conservative Party’s public struggles, she remarked, “Our party’s relevance depends on honesty and integrity—admitting where we went wrong and committing to a course of action that reflects our ideals.”
The new leader’s approach received mixed responses within the political landscape. Some party veterans, including former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, extended their support to Badenoch.
Sunak took to social media, praising her as a “superb leader” and expressing confidence in her ability to guide the party.
Johnson commended Badenoch’s “courage and clarity,” noting her commitment to re-engaging with voters. However, not all reactions were positive; Labour’s Ellie Reeves dismissed the Conservative leadership election as “out of touch,” suggesting the campaign failed to address the core issues that led to their electoral defeat.
Badenoch’s primary opponent in the leadership race, Robert Jenrick, acknowledged the close contest and congratulated her on social media, urging Conservatives to “unite and take the fight to this disastrous Labour government.”
However, during the campaign, tensions between the two candidates were evident, with Badenoch criticizing Jenrick’s past conduct as housing secretary, accusing him of failing the public’s expectations—a claim Jenrick countered by questioning her ability to lead.
Assuming New Role
As Badenoch prepares to assume her new role, speculation grows over her first actions to tackle pressing issues, including the economy, immigration, and the future of UK public services.
During the campaign, she criticized excessive bureaucracy, expressing concerns that state intervention has over-regulated daily life, without improving public services.
“We need to rethink the state’s role in public life,” she asserted, “Our goal should be to empower individuals, not restrict them.”
Despite her victory, Badenoch faces challenges in unifying the party, especially as she enters Parliament to confront the Labour government.
James Cleverly, a former leadership contender who finished third in the race, has already opted out of any leadership role under Badenoch, while former leadership candidates Dame Priti Patel and Tom Tugendhat are yet to confirm their future roles.
The political landscape will shift quickly as Badenoch begins appointing her shadow cabinet, with sources indicating that some leadership contenders may be offered roles to promote party unity.
With her first major appearance at the upcoming Prime Minister’s Questions, Badenoch’s approach to leading the opposition will come under intense scrutiny.
Her shadow cabinet announcements and stance on the upcoming Budget will likely define her early leadership, marking a critical period for the Conservatives as they seek to rebuild their standing with the British public.
With information from international media
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