Kemi Badenoch becomes the first black leader of a major UK political party – and the Tories’ fourth female leader – in diversity challenge to ‘male, stale and pale’ Labour_Nhy
Kemi Badenoch‘s assent to the Conservative leadership was hailed on all sides of politics today as she became the first black leader of a Westminster political party.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer led praise for the 44-year-old Londoner, born Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke to Nigerian parents.
The Labour leader branded it ‘a proud moment for our country’ that she had beaten Robert Jenrick.
But her elevation was also seized upon by the Tories as further proof that it is more egalitarian than Labour.
The Tories have now had four female leaders, a British Asian leader and a black leader. Not only that, Margaret Thatcher, Theresa May, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak were all prime ministers, with varying levels of success.
Meanwhile Sir Keir’s party has only had white, male permanent leaders at Westminster and has often struggled to even put forward viable minority candidates.
James Cleverly, the former home secretary and Tory leadership candidate, whose mother is from Sierra Leone, tweeted: ‘Male, pale, and stale. Labour really do need to sort themselves out.’
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer led praise for the 44-year-old Londoner, born Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke to Nigerian parents.
The Tories have now had four female leaders, a British Asian leader and a black leader, while Sir Keir’s party has only had white, male permanent leaders in its history.
James Cleverly, the former home secretary and Tory leadership candidate, whose mother is from Sierra Leone, tweeted: ‘Male, pale, and stale. Labour really do need to sort themselves out.’
However, Ms Badenoch is not the first black leader in the UK. Vaughan Gething, whose mother is from Zambia, became the leader of Welsh Labour briefly earlier this year, to become the first black party leader in Western Europe before he was deposed over a donations scandal.
He was replaced by a female leader, Baroness Eluned Morgan.
Additionally, Anas Sarwar has been the British Asian leader of Scottish Labour since 2021 and Hamza Yousaf was also leader of the SNP – replacing female leader Nicola Sturgeon.
The Green Party has had three female leaders and Plaid Cymru have had a female leader.
In a post on X Sir Keir said: ‘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.’
And Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey added: ‘I’d like to congratulate Kemi Badenoch on being elected leader of the Conservative Party.
‘The election of the first Black leader of a major UK political party is a historic moment for the country.’
And Josh Babarinde, the Lib Dem MP whose father is Nigerian, added: ‘Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke Badenoch as Tory leader. Genuine respect. Kemi and the country have come so far.
‘What we may agree on: That Naija jollof trumps all jollof.
‘What we’ll disagree on: Her view that maternity pay has gone “too far” …& more.’
