Kemi Badenoch makes history as first black woman to lead UK conservatives

Kemi Badenoch has made history as the first Black woman to lead the British Conservative Party, winning 57% of the vote in a leadership race against former immigration minister Robert Jenrick.

Badenoch, 44, takes the helm with a call for renewal, aiming to steer the party back to its core principles following its heavy defeat in the July election.

Addressing supporters after the final vote count, Badenoch said, “The time has come to tell the truth… It is time to get down to business, it is time to renew.” Known for her forthright stance on issues from identity politics to state governance, Badenoch represents the party’s right wing and is expected to advocate for policies focused on free markets and reducing government intervention.

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Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed her victory, calling it “a proud moment for our country.” Badenoch, however, downplays her racial background, emphasizing that she wants skin color to be “no more significant than the color of our hair or the color of our eyes.”

As the fifth Conservative leader since 2016, Badenoch takes over a diminished party presence in Parliament — now holding 121 seats, down from 365 in 2019. With the Labour government facing early challenges, some Conservatives see a chance to regain power in the next election in 2029, though some centrists express concern that Badenoch’s hardline stance may alienate moderate members and voters.

Despite her critics, Badenoch’s no-nonsense approach has garnered strong support within the party. “The task that stands before us is tough, but simple,” she told members. “Our first responsibility as his majesty’s loyal opposition is to hold this Labour government to account. Our second is no less important: It is to prepare over the course of the next few years for government.”