London, November 2, 2024 (by Alessandro Logroscino) – In a historic move, Kemi Badenoch, a staunch pro-Brexit, anti-woke politician with Nigerian roots, has been elected as the new leader of the UK’s Conservative Party. Badenoch, 44, is set to bring a distinct right-leaning approach to British politics, drawing admiration from figures like Donald Trump and representing a new chapter for an increasingly diverse Britain. She succeeds Rishi Sunak following a major electoral defeat for the Conservatives on July 4.
Badenoch, a former Industry Minister, is the first Black woman and the first person of African heritage to lead the Conservative Party. She emerged victorious over Robert Jenrick, a hardline anti-immigration figure, in the final leadership vote, securing the position with the support of 132,000 Tory members. This makes her the fourth woman to lead the Tories, after Margaret Thatcher, Theresa May, and Liz Truss, but the first from a minority background in a country that once ruled an empire.
In her victory speech, Badenoch expressed gratitude, acknowledging her husband, Hamish Badenoch, a City banker, and their three children. She described her election as “an enormous honor” and promised to hold Labour leader Keir Starmer’s government accountable. Her plans include establishing a strong opposition and preparing the Conservatives for a credible return to power with a forward-looking agenda. She critiqued Starmer’s government for its economic struggles, citing rising taxes and poor financial forecasts as indicators of Labour’s shortcomings.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the historical significance of Badenoch’s rise, as it marks a first for a Black woman to lead a major UK party. However, his team wasted no time in launching political attacks, framing her as a holdover from “14 years of decline and chaos.” They argue that her leadership may not bring the change needed after Conservative rule. Nonetheless, Badenoch’s fresh, assertive image could present a challenge to Starmer, contrasting his moderate and reserved style with her more unconventional and outspoken approach.
Badenoch’s background reflects her global perspective. Born in Wimbledon to Nigerian medical professionals, she grew up in Lagos before moving to the United States, ultimately returning to the UK at age 16 to complete her studies. She graduated with degrees in electronic engineering from the University of Sussex and law from Birkbeck, University of London. Known for her combative style, she has gained attention for her admiration of Trump, particularly his straightforward approach, and has criticized perceived pro-Kamala Harris biases in US politics.
A long-time supporter of Brexit, Badenoch has aligned herself with a vision of Thatcherite neoliberalism, opposing “cancel culture” and supporting gender discourse in a manner she calls “feminist.” Her platform is unique among minority leaders, as she opposes race-based quotas and has distanced herself from the Black Lives Matter movement. She takes a nuanced view on British colonial history, urging a balanced perspective on the role of imperialism and the slave trade in shaping the UK.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani congratulated Badenoch, calling her election a “remarkable example of integration” and endorsing it as an inspiration for Italy’s own discussions on citizenship laws.
This article is originally published on ansa.it
