Making history: First black woman to lead UK Conservative Party

The Conservative Party in the UK has elected Kemi Badenoch as its new leader, marking a historic milestone as she becomes the first Black woman to lead a major political party in the country.

Badenoch succeeds former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose leadership was characterized by the Conservatives' most significant electoral defeat since 1832, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media sources.

In a decisive vote among nearly 100,000 party members, Badenoch triumphed over Robert Jenrick, taking the reins of the party as it seeks to recover from a substantial election loss that ended its 14 years in power. The Conservatives suffered a net loss of over 200 seats in the last election, leaving them with only 121 representatives.

Badenoch now faces the formidable task of restoring the party's reputation after a tumultuous period marked by division, scandal, and economic challenges. As leader, she must effectively critique Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer's policies on key issues like the economy and immigration, with an eye toward regaining power in the next election, expected by 2029.

“The task that stands before us is tough but simple,” Badenoch declared during her victory speech to Conservative lawmakers, staff, and journalists in London. She outlined two main objectives for the party: holding the Labour government accountable and preparing for the upcoming election by crafting compelling Conservative pledges and a clear implementation plan.

A former business secretary in the previous Conservative administration, Badenoch was born in London to Nigerian parents and spent part of her childhood in Nigeria. At 44, the former software engineer positions herself as a disruptor, advocating for a low-tax, free-market economy, and pledging to “rewire, reboot, and reprogram” the British state to realize her vision.

Badenoch has been a vocal critic of cultural diversity and a staunch opponent of what she describes as "wokeness." Her comments that “not all cultures are equally valid” and her suggestion that maternity pay is excessive have drawn considerable backlash.

The Conservative leadership contest lasted over three months, during which lawmakers narrowed the candidates from six to two, ultimately presenting them to the wider party membership. Both finalists, positioned on the right of the party, are determined to reclaim voters from Reform UK, the hard-right, anti-immigrant party led by Nigel Farage, which has been drawing Conservative support.

However, the Conservatives have also lost ground to Labour and the centrist Liberal Democrats, raising concerns among party members that a further shift to the right could alienate a broader electorate.

By Tamilla Hasanova