Over the weekend it was announced that Kemi Badenoch had won the race to become the new Leader of the Conservative Party, and subsequently to provide opposition to the government.
Beating Robert Jenrick in the final round of the battle for Tory leadership, the former Secretary of State for Business and Trade will now continue to appoint her Shadow Cabinet, as the party that spent 14 consecutive years in government try and provide opposition to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government. The first such appointment has been made, with Nigel Huddlestone taking on the role of Chairman of the party.
Badenoch began her parliamentary career in 2017 when she was elected as the Member of Parliament for Saffron Walden. Only two years after her election into parliament, she was tipped to stand in the 2019 Conservative Party leadership election, however did not. That election led to Boris Johnson becoming Prime Minister, with Johnson appointing Badenoch as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families in July 2019.
Other roles that Badenoch held during the later Conservative governments include being Liz Truss’ Secretary of State for International Trade, a role that she held when Rishi Sunak was made Prime Minister following Truss’ resignation. In a Cabinet reshuffle in February 2022, Sunak proceeded to appoint Badenoch as the first Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whilst retaining her additional responsibility as Minister for Women and Equalities.
In the immediate aftermath of the Conservative Party’s defeat in the 2024 General Election, Badenoch was made the Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Badenoch touched on her success on her X.com (formerly Twitter) account, saying:
“It is an honour and a privilege to have been elected to lead our great Conservative Party. A party that I love, that has given me so much.
“I’d also like to pay my tribute to (Robert Jenrick) who fought a great campaign. I have no doubt he will have a key role to play in our party for many years to come.
“Thank you to all the members who have put their faith in me.
“It is time to get down to business.”
This weekend’s success has seen Badenoch now become the first black leader of any major UK political party, as well as he fourth female leader of the Conservative Party. She is also now the sixth leader of the party in the last ten years.
Further announcements on the Shadow Cabinet are expected today, with Public Sector Executive updating this article in due course.
Image credit: UK Parliament
