It may not seem very likely this time because she is probably a bit behind on the MP ballot, but there is every chance that Olukemi Olufunto Badenoch, known as Kemi, will end up in No 10 Downing Street. At 42, she has time on her side and has a level of talent and ambition, as she herself admits.
She has enjoyed the generous support and mentoring of Michael Gove, who was her chief minister before the convulsions of the past few weeks that led to her resignation and his sacking from the promotions department. “She’s brave, principled, brilliant and kind,” says Gove, adding that she’s led the charge against the “mumbo jumbo peddled by left-wing culture warriors” (which is a bit of a mess in itself, but we’ll let it slide). Having such a Svengali figure as Gove on her side may be a mixed blessing – one wonders what’s in it for him – but for now he is her most prominent supporter and adviser.
Badenoch’s unexpectedly strong performance in the early stages of the race – she far outscored the cabinet and former cabinet ministers Sajid Javid, Nadhim Zahawi, Jeremy Hunt and Suella Braverman – almost certainly guarantees her a middle cabinet post at least and a potential springboard to the top job one day. She has already served as Minister for Children, Equality and Housing as well as the Treasury, so she has a wealth of experience – especially for someone who only entered the House of Commons for the safe seat of Saffron Walden in 2017. so actually a post – referendum.
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