Kemi Badenoch Appointed Leader of the Conservative Party

Kemi Badenoch has succeeded Rishi Sunak as leader of the Conservative party, beating out her closest contender Robert Jenrick in a poll of the party membership. The contest followed a bruising loss for the Conservative party in the 2024 General Election which saw Sunak tender his resignation to the chair of the 1922 Committee on July 5th. 

After polls closed on October 31st, Badenoch secured 53,806 votes and Jenrick 41,388. In her victory speech, Badenoch paid tribute to her colleagues in the party including the chairman Richard Fuller and the Returning Officer Bob Blackman. She went on to congratulate Jenrick on his performance during the campaign, praising his energy and determination and promising him a ‘key role’ in the party going forward. 

Outlining her priorities as party leader, Badenoch pledged to hold the current Labour party administration to account and to lead them to victory at the next general election. Citing her vision for the next 20 years of the Conservative Party, the incumbent leader emphasised her desire to ‘bring [people] back’ to the party through stable governance underpinned by conservative policies. 

Sir Kier Starmer congratulated Badenoch on her appointment as the first Black leader of a Westminster party, calling it a ‘proud moment for our country.’ 

Words by: Elliot Johnston-Coates