Olukemi Olufunto “Kemi” Badenoch is a British politician and member of the Conservative Party and is known for her center-right political views. She currently serves as Secretary of State for Business and Trade, President of the Board of Trade, and Minister for Women and Equalities. Badenoch began her political career in 2017 when she was elected as the Member of Parliament for Saffron Walden in Essex, after having previously been a Conservative Member of the London Assembly. Prior to her political career, she worked in the IT sector.
Kemi Badenoch’s political career has been marked by steady and rapid ascension through various junior ministerial positions, including Minister of State for Equalities and Minister of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, culminating in her appointment as Secretary of State for Business and Trade in 2023.
She is a supporter of Brexit and was appointed as the Secretary of State for International Trade by Liz Truss in September 2022 before being retained by Rishi Sunak when he ascended to the Prime Ministership in October 2022. She was also granted the additional role of Minister for Women & Equalities. Badenoch, who is a British-born Nigerian and spent part of her childhood in Nigeria and the United States, has also been a vocal advocate for equalities, which she maintained even in her recent cabinet reshuffling.
Last year, Badenoch declared her intention to run for the office of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Her campaign was centred around tax cuts, low regulation, and opposition to the UK’s net-zero target, which she argued disadvantaged industries in poor areas. However, despite the support she garnered, she was unsuccessful in her bid to replace Boris Johnson in the Conservative Party leadership election in 2022.
Badenoch’s rise in politics is noteworthy, especially given her background in the private sector and her status as a Black woman in a historically White male-dominated field. Her appointment to various junior ministerial positions is indicative of a desire in the UK to increase diversity in government, which has long been criticized for its lack of representation. Additionally, Badenoch’s continued focus on equalities, despite holding high-profile positions in government, is commendable and sets an example for future Black politicians.
However, Badenoch’s political views have been controversial, particularly her opposition to the UK’s net-zero target and her support for tax cuts. There is concern that her policies could disproportionately harm poor communities and hinder the country’s progress towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. It is crucial that as a politician, Badenoch balances her ambitions with her responsibility to serve and uplift all sectors of society, particularly those who are marginalized or underrepresented. Despite these criticisms, her candidacy brings attention to the potential for Black excellence in British politics.
Overall, while Badenoch’s candidacy for the office of U.K. Prime minister has been contested, her journey in British politics is commendable. Her career trajectory is a testament to the increasing role of diversity in UK politics and its potential to break down barriers and challenge the status quo. However, it remains to be seen if her policies and politics will have a meaningful impact on the Black community and the wider British society.
