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Politics Latest: Kemi Badenoch has been elected leader of the Conservative Party, defeating Robert Jenrick | Political news
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Politics Latest: Kemi Badenoch has been elected leader of the Conservative Party, defeating Robert Jenrick | Political news

Kemi Badenoch is now addressing Tory members after being elected as the party’s new leader.

She begins by describing an experience “none of us candidates will ever forget.”

“It is the greatest honor to be elected to this role, to lead the party I love – the party that has given me so much.

“I hope I can repay that debt.”

Ms Badenoch went on to thank Rishi Sunak, saying: “No one has worked harder in such difficult times”, before wishing him “very well for the future”.

And in tribute to Robert Jenrick, she says: “We were all impressed by your energy and determination.”

She says she has “no doubt” that Mr Jenrick has a “key role” in the party for “many years to come”.

The new Tory leader adds that the task before the Conservatives is “tough but simple”.

“Our first responsibility … is to hold this Labor government to account,” she says.

“Our second is no less important, to prepare for the next few years to govern.”

She says the party needs clear policies – and a clear plan on how to implement them.

“That tremendous work begins today.”

Ms Badenoch says “it’s not just about the Conservative Party, it’s about the people we need to bring back into the Conservative Party, it’s about the people we need to bring into the Conservative Party”.

But, she says, the Conservatives need to be “honest” about “the fact that we’ve made mistakes” and “let standards slip”.

“The time has come to tell the truth.”