So, after a long contest, Kemi Badenoch is the new leader of the Conservative opposition. She easily beat her nearest challenger Robert Jenrick to become the sixth leader since 2010, and the second non-white and fourth female leader the party ever had (in contrast to Labour, who have elected NEITHER throughout their history).
On paper, Badenoch should be more than a match to struggling Labour PM Sir Keir Starmer in parliament, however her past controversial period as a cabinet member would prevent her from getting the Conservatives re-elected to office in 2028/9. At the moment, they are finding it difficult adapting to life on the opposition benches, finding all sorts of excuses to defend their terrible record in office over their fourteen years, even when their failings are repeatedly pointed out by even sympatheic commentators in the media. Like Labour, the Conservatives have their divisions, and they are currently struggling to win back many of their voters from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. If Badenoch fails to unite her party, her period as opposition leader could be very short indeed.