Nigerian-born Kemi Badenoch became the new leader of the UK Conservatives on Saturday, succeeding Rishi Sunak, who resigned following the party’s poor performance in July’s general election.
At 44 years old, Badenoch emerged victorious in a two-candidate race against former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, securing 57 percent of the votes from party members.
She described her election as party leader as an “enormous honour,” while acknowledging that “the task that stands before us is tough.”
Badenoch emphasized the need for honesty, stating, “We must recognize that we made mistakes” and “let our standards slip.” She called for a commitment to renewal: “It is time to get down to business.”
The former equalities minister now faces the significant challenge of reuniting a divided and weakened party that was ousted from power in July after 14 years in government.
As the official leader of the opposition, she will confront Labour’s Keir Starmer…