Kemi Badenoch, a UK politician of Nigerian heritage, has been elected as the new leader of the Conservative Party. She won against Robert Jenrick in the final voting round, securing 53,806 votes to Jenrick’s 41,388.
The Conservative Party confirmed her election on Saturday through their official X page, posting, “ANNOUNCED: @KemiBadenoch has been elected Leader of the Conservative Party.”
In her first remarks following the announcement, Badenoch—now recognized as the first Black woman to lead a major UK political party, according to the BBC—stated, “The task that stands before us is tough but simple. 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.”
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer extended his congratulations, noting, “The first Black leader of a Westminster party is a proud moment for our country. I look forward to working with you and your party in the interests of the British people.”
Though born in Wimbledon, Badenoch spent much of her early life in Nigeria before returning to the UK as a teenager.
