Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Conservatives elect Kemi Badenoch as new leader

As Britain's first Black woman leader of a major political party, Badenoch is certain to shake up the Conservatives

Conservatives elect Kemi Badenoch as new leader
Kemi Badenoch speaks on stage, on the day she was announced as the new leader of Britain's Conservative Party, in London, November 2, 2024. (REUTERS/Mina Kim)

KEMI BADENOCH on Saturday won the vote to become the UK Conservatives' new leader, replacing Rishi Sunak who quit after the party's poor showing in July's general election.

As Britain's first Black woman leader of a major political party, Badenoch is certain to shake up the Conservatives.


Badenoch, 44, came out on top in the two-horse race with former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, winning 57 per cent of the votes of party members.

She said that becoming party leader was an "enormous honour", but that "the task that stands before us is tough".

"We have to be honest about the fact we made mistakes" and "let standards slip," she said.

"It is time to get down to business, it is time to renew," she added.

The combative former equalities minister now faces the daunting task of reuniting a divided and weakened party that was emphatically ousted from power in July after 14 years in charge.

Badenoch will become the official leader of the opposition and face off against Labour's Keir Starmer in the House of Commons every Wednesday for the traditional Prime Minister's Questions.

However, she will be leading a much-reduced cohort of Tory MPs in the chamber following the party's dismal election showing.

She must plot a strategy to regain public trust while stemming the flow of support to the right-wing Reform UK party, led by Brexit figurehead Nigel Farage.

Having campaigned on a right-wing platform, she also faces the prospect of future difficulties within the ranks of Tory lawmakers, which includes many centrists.

Hardliner

Born in London and raised in Nigeria until 16 by her Nigerian father and mother, Badenoch says growing up in a place where "fear was everywhere" made her appreciate the safety of Britain and become a true defender of Conservative principles such as "free speech, free enterprise and free markets".

She says the administrations of former prime ministers such as Sunak and Boris Johnson gave up those principles in favour of an approach that meant the party "spoke right and governed left", handing votes to other parties.

Badenoch has called for a return to conservative values, accusing her party of having become increasingly liberal on societal issues such as gender identity.

She describes herself as a straight-talker, a trait that has caused controversy on the campaign trail.

When addressing immigration, Badenoch said that "not all cultures are equally valid" when deciding who should be allowed to live in the UK.

She was widely criticised after suggesting that statutory maternity pay on small businesses was "excessive" and sparked further furore when she joked that up to 10 percent of Britain's half a million civil servants were so bad that they "should be in prison".

While some might see such slip-ups as a problem, Badenoch sees her straight talking as an asset, one she says has helped her work well in teams in government. (Agencies)

More For You

Attack on Saif Ali Khan: Mistaken identities and wrongful detention add layers of mystery to case

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor navigate a turbulent time together

Attack on Saif Ali Khan: Mistaken identities and wrongful detention add layers of mystery to case

  • The recent stabbing of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan on January 16, 2025, has not only captivated the nation but also highlighted deep flaws in the investigation process, particularly the Mumbai Police’s handling of the case. From forensic discrepancies to wrongful detentions, the case has raised serious concerns about law enforcement procedures, public trust, and the impact of such high-profile cases on innocent lives. Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects of the incident.

1. The incident: A shocking early morning assault

  • On January 16, 2025, around 2:00 AM, an intruder allegedly broke into Saif Ali Khan’s 12th-floor apartment in Bandra, Mumbai.
  • The actor was stabbed multiple times, sustaining injuries to his neck, spine, and hands.
  • The accused, Shariful Islam Shehzad, reportedly left Saif in critical condition. After a six-hour surgery, he was discharged from the hospital just five days later, sparking public questions about the rapid recovery.

2. Conflicting accounts raise doubts

Keep ReadingShow less
weight-loss jab-iStock

The association has proposed a two-way consultation lasting at least 20 minutes and a review of medical history before prescriptions are issued. (Representational image: iStock)

Pharmacy leaders raise concerns over weight-loss jab sales

PHARMACY leaders have issued a warning about the online sale of weight-loss injections, calling for stricter regulations to ensure patient safety.

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has raised concerns about the inappropriate prescribing of drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro, particularly to individuals with low body weight or a history of eating disorders, according to the BBC.

Keep ReadingShow less
Coldplay, Ed Sheeran and Major Lazer redefine global music with Indian inspirations

Chris Martin lights up Mumbai with Coldplay’s electrifying performance

Instagram/coldplay 

Coldplay, Ed Sheeran and Major Lazer redefine global music with Indian inspirations

In an era where music knows no boundaries, artists like Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Major Lazer, and others have played a significant role in breaking down cultural barriers and celebrating India’s kaleidoscopic diversity. These global icons are not just appreciating Indian culture—they are actively shaping the world’s artistic lens through collaborations, performances, and trendsetting music videos.

Coldplay electrifies Mumbai with an unforgettable concert experienceInstagram/coldplay

Keep ReadingShow less
sinner-getty

Sinner, the world number one, extended his dominance on hard courts with a clinical performance under the lights of Rod Laver Arena, dismantling Zverev’s game with relentless pressure. (Photo: Getty Images)

Sinner beats Zverev to retain Australian Open title

JANNIK SINNER successfully defended his Australian Open title with a commanding 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over Alexander Zverev on Sunday, becoming Italy's first player to win three Grand Slam titles.

The win marked another milestone in Italian tennis, surpassing Nicola Pietrangeli’s two Roland Garros victories in 1959 and 1960.

Keep ReadingShow less