Kemi Badenoch, the new leader of the Conservative Party and His Majesty’s Opposition, made quite a mark during her time on the London Assembly from September 2015 to June 2017. Known for her strong opinions on crime and policing, Badenoch was described as combative and punchy by some, while others found her rude and contrary. Despite the divided opinions, she was a prominent figure during her brief stint at City Hall.
Before her time on the London Assembly, Badenoch had her sights set on Parliament but faced several unsuccessful attempts. It was only after other victories in the 2015 general election that she secured a spot on the Assembly. Her first political position, Badenoch immediately made an impact by questioning then-Mayor Boris Johnson on the police response to a protest in Shoreditch. She also raised important issues such as male rape in the capital and the neglect of urgent repairs by rogue landlords.
While some praised her direct and assertive style, others criticized her for being dismissive of other parties’ views and not engaging in cross-party scrutiny. Despite the mixed reviews, Badenoch’s hard-hitting approach got her promoted to the top spot on her party’s Londonwide candidate list for the 2016 Assembly election. She even served as the deputy leader under Gareth Bacon.
During her time on the Assembly, Badenoch clashed with Mayor Sadiq Khan over issues like Hezbollah flags at a pro-Palestine rally. However, her political career took a brief hiatus when she was expecting her second child. Despite this, she continued to draw her salary from the Assembly until winning a Commons seat in the snap election of June 2017.
Overall, Kemi Badenoch’s time on the London Assembly was marked by her strong convictions and unwavering stance on key issues. While some admired her for her boldness, others found her approach divisive. Whether you agreed with her or not, there’s no denying that Badenoch left a lasting impact on City Hall during her tenure.