A new chapter opens for an increasingly multi-ethnic United Kingdom with the election of Kemi Badenoch, 44, as leader of the Conservative Party. Daughter of Nigerian parents and former Industry Minister, Badenoch represents a choice that is placed on the right in the national and international political landscape, in connection with the dynamics that are also observed in the United States, where Donald Trump is preparing for the presidential elections on November 5. Badenoch’s election comes after the electoral defeat of Rishi Sunak on July 4, marking her entry as the fourth woman to lead the Tories, after figures such as Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May, but she is the first black woman to occupy such a prominent role in British history.

Badenoch triumphed in the final run-off against Robert Jenrick, a former moderate turned hardliner on immigration. The new leader now faces the challenge of regaining support for a party that has suffered a heavy defeat after 14 years in government. She has received the explicit support of several former prime ministers such as Sunak and Johnson, and has signalled her intention to involve Jenrick in a significant role in her shadow cabinet.

In her acceptance speech, Badenoch expressed her emotions in measured tones, starting with thanks to her husband Hamish and their three children. She spoke of her desire to make a strong opposition to Keir Starmer’s Labour government, calling it to account. She also planned to return to government with concrete strategies for the country’s future.

Keir Starmer has highlighted the historic importance of Badenoch’s leadership, noting that Labour has never had a female leader or representatives from minority groups. His staff have already launched political attacks on the new leader, calling her a product of governments responsible for the country’s decline.

Kemi Badenoch grew up in the UK and Nigeria and studied electrical engineering and law. She is described as a combative and provocative personality in her political rhetoric. She has shown admiration for some aspects of the American election campaign and is notable for her support for Brexit and criticism of “cancel culture”. She does not believe in quotas for minorities and downplays the importance of colonialism in British development.

Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani praised her election as an example of integration in the United Kingdom, stressing her ability to represent a significant change in British politics.