Kemi Badenoch has made history by becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party and the first Black woman to head a major British political party. At 44, she succeeds former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, following a leadership contest that underscored her commitment to revitalising the party by returning to its founding principles. In the wake of a significant defeat in the July elections, Badenoch has vowed to steer the party through a renewal phase, asserting that it has strayed too far to the political centre by "governing from the left."

Positioned on the right of the Conservative Party, Badenoch is expected to advocate for policies aimed at reducing the size of the state while challenging what she perceives as entrenched left-wing ideologies. She emphasises the importance of defending the principles of free speech, free enterprise, and free markets. Badenoch’s leadership marks a notable shift, as she becomes the Conservatives' fifth leader since mid-2016. She secured 57% of the votes from party members in the final stage of a months-long contest, which saw the initial field of six candidates narrowed down to two. In the decisive round, she triumphed over former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, who garnered 43% of the votes.

Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed her victory, saying "the first Black leader of a Westminster party is a proud moment for our country".

Badenoch herself has publicly said she prefers not to focus on her race. Asked at the Conservative Party conference earlier this year how it would feel to become the first Black woman leader of the party, she said, "I am somebody who wants the colour of our skin to be no more significant than the colour of our hair or the colour of our eyes."

Earlier this year, Vaughan Gething made history as the first Black leader of the Welsh Labour Party. However, his tenure as the first minister of Wales was short-lived, as he resigned after just four months amid a series of ministerial resignations that occurred in protest of his leadership.

Badenoch promised on Saturday to tackle problems in the party head-on. "The time has come to tell the truth," she told the audience at the final count of the leadership contest, promising to answer the main questions over how the Conservatives lost the July election so badly.

"It is time to get down to business, it is time to renew."

Kemi Badenoch's outspoken views on topics ranging from identity politics to the role of public officials have earned her a mix of strong admirers and critics. Her leadership is poised to disrupt the Conservative Party, which saw its representation in the 650-seat parliament plummet from 365 seats in 2019 to just 121 following the July elections. As the Labour government faces early challenges, a growing number of Conservatives are becoming increasingly optimistic about their chances of regaining power in the next election, which is scheduled to take place in 2029.

However, some centrist Conservatives express concerns that Badenoch's leadership may alienate not only the more moderate faction of the party but also voters who were attracted to the centrist Liberal Democrats in the last election. During her tenure as a trade minister, Badenoch often found herself embroiled in disputes with the media, celebrities, and even her own officials. Nevertheless, her straightforward approach has garnered significant support, particularly from Conservative members who ultimately selected her over Robert Jenrick.

"The task that stands before us is tough but simple, our first responsibility as his majesty's loyal opposition is to hold this Labour government to account," she told party members.

"Our second is no less important, it is to prepare over the course of the next few years for government."