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Kemi Badenoch has made history as the newly elected leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, succeeding Rishi Sunak in a vote held on Saturday. Badenoch is the first black woman to head a major British political party. The 44-year-old politician, who was born in the UK and raised in Nigeria and the US, secured her position by defeating MP Robert Jenrick by a margin of 12,418 votes, as reported by the BBC.

In her victory speech, Badenoch expressed her commitment to revitalizing the party after it experienced its worst electoral defeat in July. She emphasized the importance of winning back voters who have left the Conservatives, stating that the party is “critical to the success of our country.”

Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Badenoch called for greater honesty within the party. She admitted that the Conservatives have “made mistakes” and “let standards slip” during their 14 years in power. The party suffered a historic defeat in July, which saw the Labour Party regain power after a 14-year absence. Badenoch pointed to the previous leadership of Sunak, as well as Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, as part of a downward trend marked by rising energy costs and inflation, exacerbated by the UK’s withdrawal from Russian fossil fuels in 2022.

Badenoch’s election represents a significant shift in the party’s leadership, and she is determined to address the issues that have led to voter disillusionment. As she steps into this pivotal role, the Conservative Party faces the crucial task of redefining its identity and reconnecting with its base.