Taking the podium, Badenoch said it was “the most enormous honor to be elected” as leader for “the party that has given me so much.” She outlined the tasks ahead to the Tory faithful: Hold the Labour government to account and prepare for government ...

The road ahead for Kemi Badenoch can only be tough, with her newfound power perhaps something of a poisoned chalice. She must cope with a divided party, which won't be easily forgiven by a long-memory electorate, and which must also contend with the challenger Reform UK outflanking the Conservatives at every turn.