Kemi Badenoch, recently elected as the leader of the Conservative Party, sparks contrasting opinions within her own ranks, reminiscent of her political idol, Margaret Thatcher. Her firm beliefs, “anti-woke” stance, and straightforward approach have won her significant support among the Conservative right and grassroots members, leading to her victory over fellow right-wing competitor Robert Jenrick. Making history as the first black woman to head a major UK political party, Badenoch notably distances herself from identity politics as she embarks on the challenging task of revitalizing her party’s image.

The former business secretary attributes the Conservatives' struggles in the recent general election to a disconnect between their rhetoric and governance. She believes that the party must “stop acting like Labour” to regain power, a central theme of her leadership campaign aimed at reshaping British political attitudes.

Badenoch was born in Wimbledon in 1980 to Nigerian parents and spent her early years in Nigeria and the U.S. She returned to the UK at 16 due to Nigeria’s deteriorating conditions, completing her A-levels while working various jobs. After earning a degree in computer engineering from Sussex University and later a law degree, she transitioned into finance before joining The Spectator as its digital director.

Her political journey began when she joined the Conservative Party in 2005. Although she faced early setbacks in elections for Parliament and the London Assembly, she secured an Assembly seat in 2015 after two Tory members became MPs. Supporting Brexit in 2016 marked a pivotal moment before she won a parliamentary seat for Saffron Walden in 2017.

Badenoch’s rise coincided with Boris Johnson’s cabinet shake-up; despite not being a cabinet member initially, she garnered substantial support during the leadership contest that followed Johnson’s resignation. Her forthright manner led to her appointment as international trade secretary under Liz Truss and later retention by Rishi Sunak.

Known for tackling contentious topics head-on, Badenoch has stirred controversy by questioning claims of widespread institutional racism in Britain and advocating for gender-critical feminism. Her tenure has included blocking Scotland’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill and opposing gender-neutral toilets.

While some label her a “culture warrior,” Badenoch counters this characterization by asserting that she fights to uphold conservative principles rather than seeking conflict. Her candidness has drawn both admiration and apprehension from colleagues; some appreciate her honesty while others are deterred by her confrontational style.

In recent statements, Badenoch reflected on Conservatism being “in crisis,” attributing this to progressive ideologies that challenge traditional values. She advocates for reclaiming core Conservative principles to address economic stagnation and public discontent effectively. As she prepares for her role post-leadership election, Kemi Badenoch is poised to confront significant challenges ahead.