New leader announced for UK Conservative party

AFP

Kemi Badenoch has been elected as the new leader of the Conservative Party, Britain's main opposition party.

Kemi is replacing former prime minister Rishi Sunak - who will formally stand down shortly after.

Six contenders became two after various rounds of the race, which began on July, 24. However the two party members that made it to the end were Kemi Badenoch and her colleague Robert Jenrick who have both been pushing for the title of leader. 

It comes almost four months on from the general election that was branded the 'worst election' in a long time for the Conservatives.  

There was a 72.8% turnout by the 131,680 Conservative Party members who voted for their new leader, the 1922 Committee chair announces.

Kemi Badenoch was the winner with 53,806 votes, while Robert Jenrick received 41,388.

Badenoch took to the stage in London in front of her colleagues, supporters and the media where she started her speech by saying "It's the most enormous honour to be elected".

Badenoch says the party need to be honest about the fact that "we made mistakes". She concludes by saying it's time to reset "our politics" and give the country a "new start" and "Time to get down to business, time to renew."

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