Kemi Badenoch, the first Black woman to lead a major U.K. political party, was born to Nigerian parents in London in 1980. Her upbringing in Nigeria during a period of economic and social upheaval shaped her political outlook, instilling in her a deep appreciation for the opportunities and stability that exist in the U.K. She returned to the U.K. at the age of 16 and worked part-time at McDonald’s while completing her education. Badenoch went on to study computer systems engineering at the University of Sussex, eventually earning a law degree and working in financial services. In 2012, she married banker Hamish Badenoch, with whom she has three children.
Badenoch’s political career began when she was elected to the London Assembly in 2015 and then to Parliament in 2017. She held various government positions in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s administration from 2019 to 2022 before a mass ministerial exodus in July 2022 over ethics scandals that led to Johnson’s downfall. Despite the turmoil, Badenoch ran for the leadership of the Conservative Party and was appointed trade secretary in the short-lived government of Prime Minister Liz Truss. She later served as business secretary under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
A strong advocate for small government and free-market policies, Badenoch aligns herself with the ideals of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who transformed Britain in the 1980s. She believes in a low-tax, free-market economy and aims to “rewire, reboot and reprogram” the British state. With a charismatic and outspoken style, she has garnered both supporters and critics within the Conservative Party. Supporters see her as the leader needed to bring the party back from its worst-ever election defeat, while critics point to her tendency to clash with colleagues and civil servants, as well as her provocative statements on topics like multiculturalism, identity politics, and government climate initiatives.
During her leadership campaign, Badenoch faced backlash for remarks such as claiming that “not all cultures are equally valid” and suggesting that maternity pay was excessive, although she later clarified her position. Despite the controversy, Badenoch remains firm in her beliefs and unapologetic about speaking her mind. Her background in engineering positions her as a problem-solver within the political landscape, and she is determined to bring radical new ideas to reshape the British government. As the Conservative Party navigates through challenging times, Badenoch’s leadership style and policy approach will be closely watched both within the party and across the U.K. political spectrum.
