Conservative leadership contender Kemi Badenoch delivers a speech on the final day of Conservative party conference at Birmingham ICC Arena on October 2, 2024 in Birmingham, England. LONDON — The U.K.'s opposition Conservative Party on Saturday named right-wing Kemi Badenoch as its new leader, closing a long-drawn-out runoff after the Tories' landslide electoral defeat ushered in a moment of reckoning for the party. Badenoch ousted Robert Jenrick to secure the top job, replacing outgoing leader and former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. "It is the most enormous honor to be elected to this role," Badenoch said, giving her maiden speech as party leader shortly after the results were announced. The ultimate winner was decided by Conservative Party members, with Badenoch receiving 53,806 votes to Jenrick's 41,388.

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Persons: Kemi Badenoch, Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, Rishi Sunak, Tory, Jenrick, James, Keir Starmer's Organizations: Conservative, Birmingham ICC Arena, Conservative Party, Tories, Conservatives, Keir Starmer's Labour Locations: Birmingham, England, Badenoch