Kemi Badenoch just became the first black woman to lead the UK’s Conservative Party, the oldest in British politics, colloquially known as “the Tories.” She’s also 44, has three children, grew up in Nigeria, actually worked at McDonald’s (unlike some American politicians who have claimed to), didn’t go to Oxford or Cambridge, and has a master’s degree in computer engineering. Not exactly your typical Tory party leader profile.
But it’s Kemi Badenoch who has just inherited a Conservative Party that has dominated British politics for decades until Labour Party leader Keir Starmer became prime minister earlier this year. The Britain that Starmer inherited—the Britain that Conservatives like David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Rishi Sunak left behind—is a country with enormous debt, a shrinking GDP, a huge immigration challenge, and arguably a national identity crisis. Or as Free Press columnist and British historian Niall Ferguson has bleakly put it, “it seems that the UK has a national suicide wish.”
Can Kemi Badenoch, the woman who has been compared to Margaret Thatcher, turn her party—and ultimately, her country—around? How will the rising star in British politics offer something different than the past five Tory leaders who served before her? And can she beat out not just the Labour left but also the growing threat from a very energized hard right?
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Was going to give a "brief" listen to Bari's interview of Ms. Badenoch; ended up being mesmerized by her and listened to the whole thing.
I wish this brilliant woman luck. How wonderful it would be (or to have been) to have someone of her intellect run for president.
Also, can't help but observe the profound difference between her level of intelligence and ability to articulate and our most recent presidential candidates (particularly, of course, the female one).
I struggle to think of two women in today’s world that I admire more than Bari and Kemi - could listen to them all day. Bari will be the savior of the modern day press, and Kemi of 21st century Britain. We are very fortunate to have them.