Kemi Badenoch becomes first Black Woman to lead a UK Political Party, by Donovan Reynolds and Ann Smith.
In a landmark moment for British politics, Kemi Badenoch has secured the leadership of the Conservative Party, succeeding Rishi Sunak as the new opposition leader. On November 2, 2024, Badenoch garnered the support of 53,806 Conservative members, making her the first Black woman to lead a major political party in the United Kingdom. This marks a historic breakthrough, though it also draws comparisons to the ascent of Margaret Thatcher. Some, however, believe it may be premature to liken Badenoch to the former Prime Minister, given Thatcher’s substantial parliamentary experience before her leadership role. Who is Kemi Badenoch? Born in the UK, Badenoch spent her early years in Lagos, Nigeria, before returning to England at age 16. She holds a Master of Engineering and a Bachelor of Laws, with a career background that spans software engineering, wealth management, and digital strategy before entering politics. Since becoming the MP for Saffron Walden, she has held nume...