Kemi Badenoch, much like her political idol Margaret Thatcher, elicits mixed reactions even among her Conservative Party colleagues. Her strong opinions and “anti-woke” stance have made her popular among the party’s right wing and grassroots supporters, who view her as a potential future leader. However, some criticize her for being combative and stirring controversy.

Badenoch believes the Conservatives lost ground in the general election because they “talked right but governed left,” asserting the need to move away from Labour-like behavior to regain political strength. This conviction underpins her leadership campaign, which aims to shift the fundamental approach of the British government.

Born in 1980 in Wimbledon to Nigerian parents, Badenoch—whose full name is Olukemi Adegoke—was raised in Lagos and the United States before returning to the UK at 16 amidst Nigeria’s political turmoil. While studying for her A-levels in London, she worked various jobs, including at McDonald’s. She earned a computer engineering degree from Sussex University while also pursuing law.

Badenoch’s political awakening occurred during her university years, where she felt “radicalized” by the prevailing leftist culture, leading her to join the Conservative Party in 2005. After unsuccessful bids for Parliament in 2010 and 2012, she secured a seat in the London Assembly in 2015 and later became an MP for Saffron Walden in Essex.

Her rise within the party came after Boris Johnson’s resignation when she joined a competitive race to succeed him, gaining momentum quickly despite having never been a cabinet member. Badenoch finished fourth with significant backing from MPs. Her straightforward manner and insistence on honesty within party discussions earned her a cabinet position as International Trade Secretary under both Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.

In Parliament, she has been known for addressing contentious topics directly. As a junior equalities minister, she challenged claims of widespread institutional racism in Britain and identified prejudice primarily from left-leaning individuals. She describes herself as a gender-critical feminist and has opposed self-identification policies regarding transgender individuals.

Badenoch’s leadership campaign emphasizes that Conservatism is currently facing challenges from what she sees as an intrusive progressive ideology focused on identity politics and excessive state intervention. She argues that these trends have hindered economic growth despite the Conservatives being in power for over a decade.

In recent months, Badenoch has made headlines by expressing controversial views on cultural validity and public service effectiveness while also engaging in public disputes with fellow MPs about various policies. As she strives for leadership within the party, she advocates for a return to core Conservative values and innovative policies that reflect current realities. The announcement of who will replace Rishi Sunak as Conservative leader is expected soon.