British-Nigerian Kemi Badenoch elected UK Conservative Party leader
British-Nigerian Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke Badenoch made history yesterday by becoming the leader of the UK Conservative Party, marking the first time a black individual has led a major political party in the nation.
The 44-year-old former British Business Secretary secured 53,806 votes, triumphing over ex-Home Office minister Robert Jenrick, who garnered 41,388 votes in a fiercely contested final round that concluded a grueling four-month battle.
Badenoch takes over the reins from Rishi Sunak as the leader of the opposition party.
Immediately following her election, she energized party members, declaring it was “time to get down to business.”
While she commended the ‘energy’ of both Sunak and Jenrick, she candidly noted that the previous administration had “let standards slip.”
She emphasized the necessity for the party to reconnect with voters.
“The moment has arrived to speak the truth, uphold our principles, and strategize for the future,” she asserted.
Badenoch criticized Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s initial performance as shaky, suggesting it has opened a door for the Conservatives to plan ahead.
In response, Sir Keir congratulated her on her historic achievement as the first black leader of a major UK political party.
“Congratulations, @KemiBadenoch, on becoming the Conservative Party’s new leader,” he posted on his X account @Keir_Starmer.
He remarked, “The first Black leader of a Westminster party is a proud moment for our country. I look forward to collaborating with you and your party for the benefit of the British people.”
Badenoch’s campaign focused on steering the Conservatives back to their “first principles” and initiating a series of reviews in the upcoming months to develop a new policy framework.
Born on January 2, 1980, in Wimbledon, London, to Nigerian parents, her father, Femi Adegoke, was a medical doctor, while her mother, Feyi Adegoke, served as a professor of Physiology. The couple had two other children.
Kemi spent her early years in Lagos before moving to the UK at the age of 16 to live with a family friend due to the worsening political and economic situation.
She got married to banker, Hamish Badenoch, in 2012 and they have three children together.
