Kemi Badenoch is the new leader of the Conservative Party, defeating Robert Jenrick in the final round of voting.Badenoch, who was raised in Nigeria, is the first black woman to lead a major political party in the UK and takes over a Conservative Party reeling from its worst ever election defeat.

Like her political heroine Margaret Thatcher, Kemi Badenoch - who has been elected leader of the Conservative Party - divides opinion even within her own party.

Kemi Badenoch said she will tell "hard truths" to both the country and her party as she began her first full day as Conservative leader. In her first interview since winning the Tory leadership election, Badenoch said the UK is getting poorer and older, and is being "outcompeted" by other countries.

Kemi Badenoch has called for the Tories to “be honest” about their mistakes in government after winning the Tory leadership vote – becoming the first Black leader of a Westminster party.

Kemi Badenoch is the new leader of the Conservative Party, winning with her Renewal 2030 campaign that aims to reset Tory values and hold Labour to account.

The Tories have opened up a two-point lead over Labour after choosing Kemi Badenoch as leader, new polling shows. The party is now ahead with 29 per cent of voters compared to Labour’s 27 per cent, the largest Conservative lead since Labour’s landslide general election victory in July.

The Tories have enjoyed a 'Badenoch bounce' after installing their new leader, according to a poll today. The party leapfrogged Labour to take a two-point advantage since Kemi Badenoch was handed the top job.

Tories take narrow poll lead over Labour in Badenoch’s first week as leader - Kemi Badenoch has taken the party to 29 per cent of the vote, according to pollsters More in Common, with Labour languishing on just 27 per cent.