Kemi Badenoch WINS Tory leadership race and says ‘it’s time to tell the truth’ and ‘get down to business’

KEMI Badenoch has won the Tory leadership race after knocking out her rival Robert Jenrick in a tight race.

The outspoken MP was announced as the new Conservative Party leader this morning with 53,806 votes.

Kemi, 44, beat Robert Jenrick who received 41,388 votes with a 72.8 per cent turnout.

The former Business Secretary replaces Rishi Sunak four months after the Tories’ crushing defeat at the General Election.

Bob Blackman, chairman of the 1922 Committee, said: “Isn’t it great we’ve got another female leader and isn’t it great we’re the first party to have a black leader?

“Another glass ceiling shattered.”

Next she will have to formally appoint a new Shadow Cabinet from a rump of just 121 Conservative MPs.

And as leader of the opposition, one of Kemi’s first jobs will be taking on Sir Keir Starmer at Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions.

Speaking after the result, Kemi said: “Our party is critical to the success of our country, but to be heard we have to be honest.

“Honest about the fact that we made mistakes. Honest about the fact that we let standards slip. The time has come to tell the truth.

“The time has come to tell the truth, to stand up for our principles, to plan for our future, to reset our politics and our thinking, and to give our party, and our country, the new start that they deserve.

“It is time to get down to business. It is time to renew.”

She told her party: “The task that stands before us is tough but simple.

“Our first responsibility as His Majesty’s loyal Opposition is to hold this Labour Government to account. Our second is no less important.

“It is to prepare over the course of the next few years for government.

“To ensure that by the time of the next election, we have not just a clear set of Conservative pledges that appeal to the British people, but a clear plan for how to implement them.

“A clear plan to change this country by changing the way that government works.

“The Prime Minister is discovering all too late the perils of not having such a plan.

“That huge job begins today.”

Kemi also thanked her family and former prime minister Mr Sunak.

In her speech, she said: “There are so many people to thank. Firstly my family – especially my husband Hamish.

“Hamish, I couldn’t have done this without you. I also want to thank Rishi – no one could’ve worked harder in such difficult times.

“Thank you for everything you did. I’d also like to pay a special tribute to Robert Jenrick. Rob, we’ve all been impressed.

“We don’t actually disagree on much. You have a key role to play in our party for many years to come.”

Tory MPs liken her to Margaret Thatcher and say she will be a formidable opponent for the lawyerly Prime Minister.

The task that stands before us is tough but simple.

Kemi Badenoch

The anti-woke crusader has been critical of transgender rights – particularly self-identification and gender neutral toilets.

Her leadership campaign focused on restoring the party’s Conservative values.

Kemi said her party had “talked right but governed left” and acted “like Labour” while in power.

The North West Essex MP was backed by Tory grandees Sir David Davis and Sir Iain Duncan Smith as well as rising stars Claire Coutinho and Laura Trott.

During the campaign she sparked outrage by branding maternity pay “excessive” and urging mothers to show “more personal responsibility”.

Mr Sunak congratulated Kemi on becoming Conservative leader, urging the party to unite behind her.

He said: “Congratulations to Kemi Badenoch on being elected Conservative Party leader.

“I know that she will be a superb leader of our great party. She will renew our party, stand up for Conservative values, and take the fight to Labour.

“Let’s unite behind her.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir said in a post on X: “Congratulations, Kemi Badenoch on becoming the Conservative Party’s new leader.

“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.”

Six contenders made the initial shortlist after gaining the support of at least 10 MPs.             

Dame Priti Patel was the first candidate knocked out in the ballot of MPs.

Mel Stride, Tom Tugendhat and James Cleverly followed suit.

It is time to get down to business. It is time to renew.

Ms Badenoch and Mr Jenrick made it to the final ballot of paid-up Tory members.

Kemi was born in Wimbledon in 1980 to Nigerian parents. Her father was a GP and her mother was a physiology professor.

Ms Badenoch spent much of her early childhood abroad before returning to the UK aged 16 to obtain her A Levels.

She went on to study computer engineering at the University of Sussex, took up roles as a software engineer as well as a director at Coutts private bank and at The Spectator magazine.

Kemi served on the London Assembly before she was handed the safe seat of Saffron Walden in Essex in 2017.

She took on a number of junior government roles before throwing her hat in the ring to replace Boris Johnson in 2022.

Ms Badenoch came fourth with the backing of 59 MPs.

Winner Liz Truss made her Trade Secretary before Mr Sunak handed her Business as well as Women and Equalities.

Ms Badenoch is married to banker and party activist Hamish Badenoch and they have three children.

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