Kemi Badenoch is a British Conservative Party politician who has been serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Saffron Walden since June 2017. Born Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke on January 2, 1980, in Wimbledon, London, she has Nigerian heritage and spent part of her childhood in Lagos, Nigeria, and the United States before returning to the UK.
Badenoch studied Computer Systems Engineering at the University of Sussex and later obtained a law degree from Birkbeck, University of London. Before entering politics, she worked in various roles, including as a software engineer, a systems analyst, and a director at the Spectator magazine.
In her political career, Badenoch has held several positions. She was appointed as the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Equalities in February 2020. In September 2021, she was promoted to Minister of State for Equalities and appointed Minister of State for Levelling Up Communities. She has been known for her outspoken views on various issues, including social justice, identity politics, and economic policy.
Badenoch is considered a rising star within the Conservative Party and has been noted for her articulate and forthright style. She has been involved in various initiatives and debates, particularly around issues of equality, diversity, and inclusion, often advocating for a more nuanced and balanced approach to these topics.
Her career trajectory and public statements have made her a prominent figure in contemporary British politics, and she continues to be a significant voice within her party and beyond.