"There are so many people to thank."
Kemi Badenoch has been named the new leader of the Conservative Party.
The North West Essex MP was declared the winner of the months-long contest, beating Robert Jenrick.
Ms Badenoch received 53,806 votes while Mr Jenrick received 41,388.
It comes four months since the party suffered the worst defeat in its history. Rishi Sunak subsequently announced his intention to stand down as Tory leader.
In July 2024, Mr Sunak said:
“I will shortly be seeing His Majesty the King to offer my resignation as Prime Minister.
“To the country, I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry.
“I have given this job my all, but you have sent a clear signal that the Government of the United Kingdom must change. And yours is the only judgment that matters.
“I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss.”
He also said he would resign as Tory leader but only after arrangements for a successor are made.
Since losing the general election, Ms Badenoch has served as shadow business and trade secretary.
Her campaign was called Renewal 2030 and has targeted the next election for the Conservative Party to return to power.
Bob Blackman, chairman of the 1922 Committee, said:
“Isn’t it great we’ve got another female leader and isn’t it great we’re the first party to have a Black leader?
“Another glass ceiling shattered.”
After the result, Ms Badenoch said:
“There are so many people to thank. Firstly my family – especially my husband Hamish.
“Hamish, I couldn’t have done this without you.
“I also want to thank Rishi – no one could have worked harder in such difficult times. Thank you for everything you did.
“I’d also like to pay a special tribute to Robert Jenrick. Rob, we’ve all been impressed.
“We don’t actually disagree on much. You have a key role to play in our party for many years to come.”
At times, Kemi Badenoch has been criticised for her outspoken approach, with opponents jumping on comments she has made about subjects such as maternity pay, gender equality and net zero.
But she has long been popular among the party membership and previously ran to be leader in 2022.
Her first task as Tory leader will be formally appointing a new Shadow Cabinet from a pool of just 121 MPs.
Ms Badenoch has suggested that all those who ran against her in the leadership bid should be involved.
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