New Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has said the party need to be ‘honest’ about its ‘mistakes’ made in her maiden speech.
The former business secretary was declared the winner at an event in central London on Saturday, defeating rival Robert Jenrick by 53,806 votes to 41,388. The news makes Ms Badenoch the first black woman to be elected as leader of a major British political party and the fourth woman to lead the Conservative Party.
Announced this morning (Saturday, November 2), Ms Badenoch will replace former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as Leader of the Opposition following the party’s disastrous defeat at the General Election in July. The party brought just 121 MPs during the election, losing seats to Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Reform, the PA News Agency reports.
In her first speech following the victory, Ms Badenoch acknowledged the difficult time for the Conservatives and that it is now time “to tell the truth”. She said: “The time has come to tell the truth, to stand up for our principles, to plan our future, reset our politics and our thinking, and to give our party and our country the new start they deserve.
“It’s time to get down to business, it’s time to renew.” In the aftermath of the result, many politicians have taken to social media to offer congratulations to the new leader.
The MP for Pendle, Rt Hon Andrew Stephenson CBE took to X to share: “Congratulations Kemi”.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also congratulated Ms Badenoch on her victory. Sir Keir said: “The first Black leader of a Westminster party is a proud moment for our country.
“I look forward to working with you and your party in the interests of the British people.”
Subscribe to our daily newsletter LANCS LIVE NEWS and get all the biggest stories from across Lancashire direct to your inbox
Story Saved
You can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
