Kemi Badenoch has officially been elected as the leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, making her the first Black woman to lead a major British political party. This election took place on November 2, 2024, after a competitive race against Robert Jenrick. Badenoch won with 57% of the vote among Conservative Party members, succeeding Rishi Sunak, who resigned following the party’s significant losses in the July general elections.
Badenoch now faces the challenge of uniting a divided party and reconnecting with voters, as the Conservatives transition to the opposition after 14 years in government. Known for her “anti-woke” stance, she aims to bring the party back to conservative values and address issues that resonate with the right-wing base, though this could lead to further internal divisions among moderates and right-wing members.
