The members elected the former business minister as the successor to ex-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, as the Tory party announced in London.
The Tories have not calmed down since Brexit. Within a few years, five different prime ministers failed – because they couldn’t get the consequences of leaving the EU under control and, like Boris Johnson, because of scandals.
Since the electoral defeat in July, the Tories – one of the most successful democratic parties in Western Europe for decades – only make up 121 of the 650 MPs in the London House of Commons. The loss of trust among voters is immense. Badenoch must now ensure stability and unity.
Woman of clear words
But that might be difficult. The 44-year-old Badenoch is considered a woman of clear words, regardless of person or office. Like her defeated opponent, the former Secretary of State for Migration Robert Jenrick, she is considered a representative of the right wing of the party. A total of six applicants competed. However, moderate candidates such as former Interior Minister James Cleverly were eliminated from the parliamentary group’s votes before the members had the final say.
The conservatives are increasingly transforming themselves from a center-right force into a radical right-wing populist party, said political scientist Tim Bale of the German Press Agency. What policy does the expert from Queen Mary University of London expect? Demands for as little government interference as possible, with a nationalist and anti-immigrant tone and against climate neutrality.
Born in London but raised in Nigeria, her parents’ home country, Badenoch is considered a darling of the party’s base. The computer scientist, who studied computer science, revealed few details about her political plans during the party’s internal election campaign.
The 44-year-old has long portrayed herself as an “anti-woke culture warrior” who stands out with statements against the supposedly left-liberal establishment. Even during her time as Minister for Equal Rights – she held the office in addition to her other cabinet post – the mother of three children was critical of gender issues, among other things, and advocated against an increase in maternity pay.
Brexit supporter
“Party members chose Kemi Badenoch because they see her as principled and willing to speak her mind, even if it leads to controversy,” political scientist Mark Garnett from Lancaster University told dpa. The style of the staunch Brexit supporter is comparable to that of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who is still admired by many Tory members.
However, Garnett sees the Tories’ future as a people’s party in question with the sharp right-wing course. The July election, in which the social democratic Labor Party replaced the Conservatives after 14 years in government, showed that most voters were still close to the political center.
The immediate challenge for the Conservatives is to win back voters from the right-wing populist Reform UK party. Party leader Nigel Farage, who once played a key role in pushing forward Brexit, stole numerous votes from the Conservatives. But: “An approach to Reform UK risks losing support from the centre-right spectrum and inadvertently increasing the appeal of the more populist Farage,” Garnett said.
And how can the new party leader close the huge gap to the social democratic Labor Party, which governs with a large majority? That depends less on her and more on how Prime Minister Keir Starmer manages to improve public services and stimulate economic growth, said expert Bale. And Garnett also emphasizes: “In order to gain the public’s attention, the new party leader must make the best of Labour’s mistakes.”
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**Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Sarah Thompson on Kemi Badenoch’s Election as Tory Leader**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Thompson. Kemi Badenoch has made history as the first black woman to lead a major political party in the UK. What significance does this hold for the Conservative Party and UK politics as a whole?
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me. Badenoch’s election is indeed historic and signifies a potential shift within the Conservative Party. It reflects a growing recognition of diversity at high levels of leadership. However, it also raises questions about how effectively she can navigate the party’s existing challenges while representing this change.
**Interviewer:** The Tory party has experienced significant turmoil since Brexit. What immediate challenges does Badenoch face as she assumes leadership?
**Dr. Thompson:** The challenges are considerable. The party has seen a drastic loss of trust among voters, not to mention the need for stability and unity within the party. Given its sharp right-wing transformation, Badenoch must reconcile these ideological shifts while also appealing to a centrist electorate that feels alienated by recent policies.
**Interviewer:** Badenoch is described as having a strong, unfiltered voice and is aligned with the party’s right wing. How might this impact her leadership style and the party’s direction?
**Dr. Thompson:** Her assertive style could energize the party’s base, particularly those who are disillusioned with perceived moderate leadership. However, this approach risks alienating centrist voters, especially as she navigates socio-political issues that require a more inclusive stance. The challenge will lie in balancing these often conflicting needs.
**Interviewer:** Many analysts compare her to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Do you think this comparison is fair, and what implications might it have?
**Dr. Thompson:** It’s a double-edged sword. While she shares Thatcher’s decisiveness and a clear stance on economic issues, the political landscape has evolved significantly since Thatcher’s time. If she leans too heavily into this comparison without adapting to contemporary issues, she risks reinforcing divisions within society rather than uniting the party and the electorate.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what strategies do you think Badenoch might employ to close the gap with Labour and win back voters?
**Dr. Thompson:** She will need to prioritize realistic and effective policies aimed at improving public services and economic growth to regain credibility. Additionally, engaging with relatively neglected issues such as social justice within the context of conservative values might help her appeal to a broader audience. Ultimately, her success will depend less on her actions alone and more on how Labour performs under Keir Starmer’s leadership.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Thompson, for your insights on Kemi Badenoch’s leadership and the future of the Conservative Party.
**Dr. Thompson:** My pleasure, thank you!
