Kemi Badenoch becomes first black woman elected leader of UK’s Conservative Party

The Conservative Party has announced Kemi Badenoch as its new leader.

Ms Badenoch will replace Rishi Sunak, who resigned after the party lost the 2024 general election in July. 

Conservative members had been choosing between Mr Badenoch and former immigration minister Robert Jenrick.

Ms Badenoch becomes the first black woman to lead a major UK political party.

SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES

Ms Badenoch joined the Conservative Party in 2005 and became an MP in the 2016 general election. 

She was first appointed to the cabinet as International Trade Secretary by former Prime Minister Liz Truss in 2022.

She kept her role when Rishi Sunak took over as Prime Minister a few weeks later.

She has also served as Minister for Women & Equalities and Business and Trade Secretary.

SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES

In July, the Conservative Party lost the general election to the Labour Party.

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced he would be stepping down as Conservative leader and the search began for his replacement.

Six candidates put their names forward to become leader – and after a series of votes, Conservative Party MPs decided to put Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick through to the final round. 

Conservative Party members then held a vote to decide which of the two would become the new leader.

Kemi Badenoch was the winner with 53,806 votes, while Robert Jenrick received 41,388.

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