Today in Focus Can Kemi Badenoch make the Tories electable again?
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Nov 4, 2024 Isabel Hardman, a columnist and assistant editor at The Spectator, delivers her insights on Kemi Badenoch, the first black woman to lead the Conservative Party in Europe. They discuss Badenoch's leadership style and the mixed reactions it has garnered. The conversation highlights her unique journey from Nigeria to Westminster, the challenges she faces within the party, and her controversial stances on issues like race and gender. Hardman emphasizes the importance of developing a coherent strategy to engage younger voters and navigate the turbulent political landscape.
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Badenoch's Background
- Kemi Badenoch grew up in Nigeria, experiencing both wealth and hardship due to family business failures.
- As a teenager in Wimbledon, she worked at McDonald's while studying, demonstrating a strong work ethic.
Why Badenoch Became a Conservative
- Badenoch's conservative views were shaped by her experiences with socialism in Nigeria and student politics.
- She joined the Conservative Party at 25, later attributing it to witnessing socialism's negative impact.
Badenoch's 'Engineer' Identity
- Badenoch emphasizes her engineering background, drawing parallels to Margaret Thatcher's chemistry background.
- She believes her problem-solving skills as an engineer translate to political leadership.