Badenoch is expected to be a formidable opponent to Labour leader Keir Starmer, as she is known for her confrontational approach. She has a track record of addressing contentious issues such as identity politics, transgenderism, and government spending, according to CNN.
In her victory speech, Badenoch expressed that it was “the most enormous honor to be elected” to lead “the party that has given me so much." She outlined her mission to hold the Labour government accountable and prepare for a government that has a "clear plan," asserting that Starmer is "discovering all too late the perils of not having such a plan."
Badenoch acknowledged the need for the Tories to be candid about past mistakes, stating that the party should be “honest about the fact that we let standards slip.”
"The time has come to tell the truth, to stand up for our principles, to plan for our future, to reset our politics and our thinking, and to give our party and our country the new start that they deserve. It is time to get down to business. It is time to renew," she concluded.
Her election comes in the wake of a devastating loss for the Conservatives in the July general election, which saw the party's number of seats plummet from 372 to just 121. Still, Badenoch has affirmed her belief that the Tories can regain power during the next election.
