By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2024-11-02 12:07:48 | Updated at 2024-11-02 14:25:48
2 hours ago
Kemi Badenoch vowed that she will "hold Labour to account" as she outlined her plan to renew Conservative Party in her first speech as leader.
Badenoch won the Tory leadership election with 53,806 votes over Robert Jenrick's 41,000, out of a total electorate of 131,680.
The new Tory leader took to the stage after her win and outlined her plan to return the Tories to Government at the next election.
At the beginning of her first speech in the role she said that it was an "enormous honour" to be elected.
Kemi Badenoch vowed to hold the Labour government to account
GB News
She thanked her husband Hamish, saying she would not have been able to win the campaign without him.
Badenoch also thanked Rishi Sunak for his leadership of the Conservative since the election defeat in July.
She also paid tribute to rival Robert Jenrick, stating that "you and I don't actually disagree on very much".
She said: "The task that stands before us is tough, but simple. Our first responsibility as His Majesty's loyal opposition is to hold this Labour government to account.
"Our second is no less important. It is to prepare over the course of the next few years for government to ensure that by the time of the next election, we have not just a clear set of Conservative pledges that appeal to the British people, but a clear plan for how to implement them.
"A clear plan to change this country by changing the way that government works.
"The Prime Minister is discovering all too late the perils of not having such a plan.
Kemi Badenoch is the new leader of the Conservative Party
PA
"That huge job begins today. It will seek to involve all of our colleagues in Parliament, in the Scottish Parliament, the Senate, our friends in Northern Ireland, as well as councillors and party members.
"But this is not just about the Conservative Party, It is about the people we want to bring back to the Conservative Party.
"It is about the people we need to bring in to the Conservative Party.
"It is about what the Conservative Party needs to be over the next five, ten and 20 years. Our party is critical to the success of our country.
Badenoch outlined her plan to renew that party
GB News
"But to be heard, we have to be honest, honest about the fact that we made mistakes, honest about the fact that we let standards slip.
"The time has come to tell the truth. To stand up for our principles, to plan for our future, to reset our politics and our thinking, and to give our party a new start that they deserve.
"It is time to get down to business. It is time to renew."
