Kemi Badenoch’s election as Conservative party leader may have been somewhat eclipsed by the US election, but it nonetheless represents a political milestone. Her positioning as a “culture warrior” is, to some, proof not of a changing Conservative party but one with a new face for old instincts.
Here, the Guardian asks black and minority ethnic campaigners, as well as public and political figures, what it means for the Tories to have a black leader.
Windrush campaigner, Brixton, south London
Ros Griffiths said Badenoch’s election was “an undeniable historic achievement, but we’ve got to look beyond that”.
She said: “I just don’t think her leadership demonstrates any change in the reprehensible policies of the Conservative party [that] created the hostile environment for the Windrush generation.
“For 14 years, her party has done damage with their views and policies – and that’s what I’m looking at. I won’t be dancing in the streets. If she’s committed towards dismantling the system that oppresses black and brown people in particular – then she might get my attention.”
Chief executive, Caribbean and African Health Network
Charles Kwaku-Odoi, who is from Manchester, said Badenoch’s success “is good news, because representation matters”, and she could inspire.
He said: “The black community is not homogeneous; we can’t just assume a black face around the table will necessarily represent the views of everyone. Our hope is that she will actively listen, study evidence and understand the disparities black people face.
“In the black community there will be those who are privileged – it’s also about understanding those privileges, compared with those who never really feel their voice matters.”
PhD student and founder of Colchester’s Black Lives Matter movement
Sophie Kabangu said Badenoch’s win “feels hollow”.
“This isn’t a win for Black people – her representation means nothing when her views uphold harmful ideologies. Her public admiration for Trump and staunch support for Israel’s actions show exactly where she stands. The identities of leaders don’t matter when they perpetuate systems of oppression.”
Former race adviser to Boris Johnson
Samuel Kasumu, who was Boris Johnson’s race adviser until he resigned in 2021, said: “Your typical Conservative is very passionate about meritocracy, so when someone resonates with the things they care about, that person will, regardless of the colour of their skin or many other variables, more likely than not, get to the very top.”
He said the Conservatives still faced the challenges of engaging with wider society, demonstrating empathy and having a unifying agenda.
“That can happen under Kemi if it’s a priority. But the first thing a leader has to decide is: ‘What is the most likely coalition I can gather for me to win?’”
Director of thinktank British Future
“Her election says something very positive about British public life. It’s now quite a familiar thing to have ethnic diversity at the top – home secretaries, chancellors, foreign secretaries and leaders,” said Sunder Katwala.
“There’s an opening up for black and Asian people who have the qualifications of the ‘in group’ – but that’s a different thing to opening up across class lines.”
Katwala said that while Labour had a “stronger record overall”, the Tories had accelerated on diversity, although this would not necessarily lead to lots of black and Asian votes.
Related: The Long Wave: Is Kemi Badenoch’s victory a win to Nigerians?
Activist
Lee Jasper, a lifelong activist, said the “relentlessly driven” Badenoch shows that “you can go a very long way” if you are “prepared to speak an unpalatable politics of extremism”.
He said: “One thing is certain, the Tories, with Badenoch at the helm, are putting Labour’s patronising rhetoric on diversity to the test.”
He added that with Badenoch “hounded by Nigel Farage on her right flank”, he feared “a race to the bottom that won’t bode well for black, Asian and migrant communities – and a resurgence of the divisive politics of Enoch Powell”.
Broadcaster and vice-chair for outreach of LGBT+ Conservatives
Albie Amankona said: “[Badenoch] is right when she says things like, ‘I want us to get to a point in time where someone’s race is no more important than the colour of their eyes’.
“I do honestly think she was the best candidate for the job. She just so happens to be black. What does it mean for the other political parties? Tories have proved time and time again that we have no issue getting people who are not straight white men into positions of power.”
Executive director, Southall Black Sisters
Selma Taha, of Southall Black Sisters, a group that campaigns against violence against women, said Badenoch’s appointment was a significant political moment that “raises the question of whether representation alone is a win for Black, minoritised and migrant communities”.
She said: “Badenoch’s stance on issues such as institutional racism, immigration and support for the Rwanda scheme reflects policies that challenge the wellbeing and safety of communities we support.
“We hope under her leadership the Conservative party will … move toward policies that respect the rights, dignity and humanity of all.”
Liberal Democrat MP for Eastbourne
Josh Babarinde described this parliament as “more diverse” than any before.
He said: “It’s really important for young people to be able to look at any area of life … and believe they can get there. But beyond identity, which is important, what people want is delivery.
“Kemi is keen not to talk about identity, and keen to talk about substance. On the substance, I’m not sure the record is so great.”
