Kemi Badenoch Wins Conservative Party Leadership Contest to Replace Rishi Sunak

 Kemi Badenoch has been chosen as the new leader of the Conservative Party, defeating former immigration minister Robert Jenrick in a Saturday vote.

According to The Telegraph, Badenoch, who represents North West Essex and was born in London and raised in Nigeria, garnered 53,806 votes compared to Jenrick's 41,318, signaling the continued influence of centrist perspectives within the Tory Party.

Jenrick attempted to position himself as a Brexit hardliner, drawing inspiration from Nigel Farage. He advocated for withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), emphasized a focus on English identity, and voiced support for the British Empire.

In contrast, Badenoch adopted a more centrist approach in her bid to succeed Rishi Sunak as party leader after the Conservative Party’s loss to Labour in July. However, she faced criticism for previously advocating increased immigration, including more visas for students and workers, and for her reluctance to commit to leaving the ECHR.

Despite this, Badenoch is recognized within the party as an “anti-woke crusader,” known for her outspoken opposition to Critical Race Theory and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Announcing her victory on Saturday, 1922 Committee chairman Bob Blackman celebrated the milestone, calling it “another glass ceiling shattered” in recognition of Badenoch becoming the first Black leader of a major political party in Britain.

Badenoch expressed her gratitude following her victory, saying, “It is an enormous honor to be elected to this role, to lead the party that I love—the party that has given me so much. I hope that I will be able to repay that debt.”

She emphasized the need for accountability and renewal within the Conservative Party: “Our party is critical to the success of our country, but to be heard, we have to be honest. Honest about the mistakes we've made, honest about letting standards slip. It’s time to reset our politics, to stand up for our principles, to plan for the future, and give our party and country the fresh start they deserve. It’s time to get down to business and renew. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.”

Meanwhile, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, positioning itself as a right-wing alternative to the Conservatives, criticized Badenoch’s track record. Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice accused her of “saying one thing and doing another,” stating, “Kemi Badenoch was part of a government that failed Britain. She remained silent as Rishi Sunak’s administration oversaw record immigration, the small boats crisis, the highest tax rates in decades, NHS backlogs, and rising crime.”

Tice argued that Badenoch prioritized her career over the nation, concluding, “She has failed the British public before and will fail them again as leader of the Conservative Party.”