Kemi Badenoch Joins Race for Conservative Party Leadership

Former British business minister Kemi Badenoch has announced her candidacy for the leadership of the opposition Conservative Party. She criticized the party's left-leaning governance and called for a principles-based vision. The leadership contest will conclude with the new leader being named on November 2.

Kemi Badenoch, former British business minister, has officially launched her bid to become the leader of the opposition Conservative Party. She is the sixth candidate vying for the position following Rishi Sunak's resignation after a substantial electoral defeat earlier this month. Sunak will serve as acting leader until a successor is chosen.

In an article for The Times, Badenoch criticized the Conservative Party's governance, claiming it had deserved to lose and had strayed too far left. 'Real leadership sets a principles-based vision about where to take the country and then inspires people to join that shared mission,' she stated.

Badenoch also criticized Britain's asylum system and emphasized the need for the state to prioritize British citizens post-COVID-19. Other candidates in the race include former interior minister Priti Patel and former security minister Tom Tugendhat among others. The leadership contest will conclude with the new leader being announced on November 2, following a series of selection processes within the party.

(With inputs from agencies.)