Kemi Badenoch has been elected as the brand new chief of the Conservative social gathering, voted in by social gathering members following a four-month race after former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s resignation. It is a historic posting – Kemi is the first-ever Black chief of the Conservative social gathering, profitable with 53,806 votes to fellow MP Robert Jenrick’s 41,388.
“It’s the most huge honour to be elected to this position, to guide the social gathering that I like, the social gathering that has given me a lot. I hope I will repay that debt,” she mentioned.
Kemi initially ran for Conservative management again in 2022, following Boris Johnson’s resignation. Because the MP for North West Essex, she has additionally beforehand held the roles of Minister for Girls and Equalities and Secretary of State for Enterprise and Commerce – typically making headlines for her controversial feedback on trans rights, race and maternity pay. Because the chief of the opposition, Kemi Badenoch will select a shadow cupboard, every of whom will problem and query their counterparts in authorities.
Right here, GLAMOUR breaks down Kemi’s voting historical past and feedback on the problems that basically matter to girls – from reproductive healthcare to violence in opposition to girls and women (VAWG), image-based abuse and extra.
On-line security and image-based abuse
Picture-based abuse – a broad time period overlaying a variety of dangerous actions involving nude or sexual photographs – is overwhelmingly dedicated in opposition to girls and women. Kemi has not explicitly commented on the subject of image-based abuse, however did spark headlines when she criticised an early iteration of the On-line Security Invoice in 2022. She tweeted: “The invoice is in no match state to turn into legislation. If I’m elected Prime Minister I’ll make sure the invoice doesn’t overreach. We shouldn’t be legislating for damage emotions.”
Abortion entry
Kemi Badenoch has usually voted to maintain obstacles in place for these searching for entry to abortions. In 2022, Kemi voted in opposition to introducing buffer zones round abortion clinics and hospitals, with a purpose to restrict harassment of girls searching for to entry reproductive healthcare. That legislation got here into pressure below the Labour authorities in October 2024.
She voted in opposition to the federal government’s ‘drugs by submit’ scheme in 2022, however she did vote in favour of the Abortion (Northern Eire) Rules 2021 – to deal with gaps in abortion companies in Northern Eire.
Maternity pay
Kemi’s feedback on maternity pay sparked backlash throughout her management marketing campaign earlier this yr, when she mentioned on the Conservative social gathering convention: “Maternity pay varies, relying on who you’re employed for. However statutory maternity pay is a operate of tax, tax comes from people who find themselves working. We’re taking from one group of individuals and giving to a different. This, in my opinion, is extreme… Companies are closing, companies aren’t beginning within the UK, as a result of they are saying that the burden of regulation is simply too excessive.”
She added: “We have to have extra private accountability. There was a time when there wasn’t any maternity pay and other people have been having extra infants.” Kemi later mentioned that she didn’t suppose maternity pay “wants altering in any respect” – and that her statements have been “misrepresented”.
LGBTQIA+ rights
Kemi has abstained on voting on LGBTQIA+ points throughout her parliamentary profession – selecting to not vote on same-sex marriage in Northern Eire in 2019.