Kemi Badenoch: An Insight into the New Conservative Leader

Kemi Badenoch has emerged as a new force in UK politics, becoming the Conservative leader.

Though she has served as an MP and former cabinet minister, many know little about her.

Here are key facts about Badenoch:

1. Engineering Background: Badenoch holds degrees in computer systems engineering from the University of Sussex.

She worked as a software engineer, moving into consultancy and financial services, and also studied law at Birkbeck, University of London.

2. Supporter of Ron DeSantis: Badenoch aligns with US-style culture war politics, gaining the admiration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis with mutual flagship policies against 'woke' ideologies.

3. Controversial Fights: Known for her confrontational style, Badenoch has made headlines with curious disputes, such as her 2021 Twitter tirade against a journalist that confused some Tory MPs.

4. Divergence from Right-Wing Tories: Though a populist, she is not fully embraced by the Tory Brexiter right, notably due to a pragmatic U-turn on EU laws in 2023, stirring anger among staunch Brexiters.

5. Admitted Hacker: Unusually candid about past misdemeanors, Badenoch admitted to hacking Harriet Harman’s website in 2008, a breach that could violate the Computer Misuse Act.

Harman accepted her apology.