Kemi Badenoch Becomes New Conservative Party Leader

Kemi Badenoch has made history as the first black woman to lead a major European political party, winning the Conservative Party leadership contest against Robert Jenrick by 12,418 votes. She is set to announce her shadow cabinet soon, with speculation surrounding potential appointments including Andrew Griffith as shadow chancellor. Badenoch's election is seen as a potential shift to the right for the Tories, as she aims to reclaim votes lost to Reform UK. In her victory speech, she emphasized the need for honesty within the party and a commitment to renewal, stating that the Conservatives must hold the Labour government accountable. Badenoch's leadership follows Rishi Sunak's departure after the party's significant defeat in the last general election. Both Badenoch and Jenrick previously expressed willingness to serve in each other's shadow cabinet, indicating a collaborative approach within the party.