I have known Kemi Badenoch for a while — I met her at an Evening Standard event in 2017 — and the picture we took at that event recently popped up on my social media memories and I took a moment to think: could I ever have imagined that seven years later I would be writing to endorse her as the next leader of the Conservative Party? The answer is no.
Bluntly, I don’t think I could have imagined the sheer and unprecedented number of leadership races that have since taken place in the Tory Party.
But as we got to know each other over the years, I could imagine her as a party leader — and a great one at that. The fact that Kemi has gone from new MP to the woman that can and should lead the Conservative Party in such a short space of time is testament to her and her hard work. Where others have chosen to take a back seat Kemi has always led from the front and taken on roles and issues that were challenging and delivered.
As equalities minister she was incredible in standing for women’s rights and ensuring dangerous changes to single sex spaces did not take place. I saw the pressure she was under go with self-ID proposals which would endanger women and girls. She not only stood her ground but she was thoughtful and understanding at every opportunity.
The work she did as equalities minister not only protected women’s dignity and rights but it also have the upmost respect for those from the trans community. There was a principle understanding of equal but different. And this is why she has won the respect and support of many traditionally left-wing womens’ organisations.
The idea of Robert Jenrick being leader of the opposition fills me with fear
She has always prioritised doing the fair thing, not the popular thing. She also unlike her opponent in this race never threw her toys out of the pram, resigning from government in order to have a lobotomy and return as an unprincipled right winger who would say anything to win. Yes, I really can’t stand how hate-mongering Robert Jenrick, who now likes to be called Bobby J, has become.
I have also known and worked with Jenrick when he was normal, but now the idea of him being leader of the opposition fills me with fear. Kemi Badenoch is not perfect no-one is. But she is principled, fiercely intelligent and kind. And I say kind, because as she does not suffer fools gladly she is taken as being rude. When in reality she just does not play games and like a true Nigerian will tell you the truth.
She is also a woman who like me came to this country having seen the place she and her family called home deteriorate. She is a woman who built herself back up and is now taking on a challenge many others would shy away from. She is the embodiment of so many other women and girls in this country who have had to start from scratch again and who have made it to the top. I have over the last few years watched her with amazement. When she was misrepresented — which happens a lot because our media and many on both side of the House can’t seem to deal with a woman who after a tough start actually succeeded — I would text her supportive messages. But today I am sending her a public message with this endorsement of not just her but of the vision she has for the Conservative Party and the future of this country.
In order for this country to work there has to be a credible opposition, one that will hold the Government to account and one who will give people an alternative at the next election and with Kemi Badenoch that is possible. But what is also possible is that unlike Robert Jenrick, Kemi will work with the Government when it’s in the national interest.
The world is in a precarious position right now and in the face of these global challenges the leader of the opposition has to be someone who can put their ego aside for the country, something Jenrick can’t do as we have seen over the last few weeks. It is actually distressing to see how far Jenrick has got in this race and how at every turn he has got worse with his dog whistle politics and lack of understanding of fundamental principles of human rights. The choice for the Conservative Party is clear and it’s Kemi.
Nimco Ali is a London Standard columnist
