Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), Rishi Sunak has re-appointed British-Nigerian lawmaker, Kemi Badenoch as International Trade Secretary.
Kemi Badenoch Reappointed In Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet
A statement from Sunak’s office on Tuesday, October 25, said Badenoch was also appointed as women and equalities minister – a post she held previously during Boris Johnson’s premiership.
Badenoch, who earlier this year was a contender in a Conservative Party leadership contest to replace then Prime Minister Boris Johnson, backed Sunak in the most recent race to replace the outgoing leader, Liz Truss.
Badenoch previously served under Truss in the Government Equalities Office (GEO) during the Johnson administration where she said she felt “empowered” to push back against trans rights.
During her time as a junior equalities minister, the GEO not only failed to ban conversion therapy, it also failed to bring in meaningful reform of the Gender Recognition Act – both of which were promised by Boris Johnson in the run-up to the 2019 general election.
After Boris Johnson resigned in disgrace just a few weeks ago, Kemi Badenoch was one of many, many MPs to throw their hats into the race to succeed him as prime minister.
Although Truss would go on to win one of two leadership races so-far this year, making history as the shortest-serving British prime minister ever, Badenoch was one of the MPs who saw themselves occupying the top job in British politics.
But despite saying she was “in it to win it”, receiving the backing of fascist far-right group Britain First, and positioning herself as an “anti-woke” candidate – whatever that means – she failed to make the final ballot, being knocked out of the race on 19 July. 2022. Literally earlier this year.
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas responded to the news of Badenoch’s appointment with a sarcastic quip on Twitter: “Kemi ‘culture war warrior’ Badenoch to become our equalities minister… excellent.”
Badenoch, MP for Saffron Walden, has been outspoken on issues such as gender-neutral toilets – which she opposes – and stood on an “anti-woke” platform in the Tory contest.
The former software engineer worked in banking and later as a director of the Spectator magazine before being elected to the London Assembly.
She entered the Commons as MP for Saffron Walden in 2017, and lists her interests as including engineering and technology, social mobility and integration.
Kemi Badenoch’s appointment as trade minister and equalities minister comes a few hours after King Charles confirmed Rishi Sunak as the new UK prime minister.
