Kemi Badenoch becomes new leader of UK's Conservative Party

Monday, November 4, 2024 

Kemi Badenoch's portrait as Minister for Equalities and Levelling Up Communities in 2022
Image: Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

On November 2, Kemi Badenoch was elected as the new leader of the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom, becoming the first Black leader of a major UK party and the fourth woman to lead the Tories.

She defeated her fellow conservative Robert Jenrick by 12,418 votes.

Badenoch Leadership Campagin logo
Image: Renewal 2030, Kemi Badenoch Campaign for leader.

Badenoch will take over the charge from former prime minister Rishi Sunak.

Badenoch promised to return the Conservatives to "first principles".

Following the announcement, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, and Ed Davey, leader of the UK Liberal Democrats, both extended their congratulations to her on becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party.

Sources

• Sam Francis. "Badenoch promises change after historic Tory leadership win" — BBC, November 2, 2024
• Peter Walker. "Kemi Badenoch wins Tory leadership election" — The Guardian, November 2, 2024
• Elizabeth Piper, Andrew Macaskill. "Kemi Badenoch becomes first Black woman to lead UK Conservatives" — Reuters, November 2, 2024