Kemi Badenoch has a tough road ahead. Let’s pray she navigates it well

Kemi Badenoch has won the contest to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and, in doing so, also becomes the new leader of the opposition. Following the Conservatives’ landslide election defeat earlier this year, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. They are currently the smallest official opposition in living memory, and now, they will be looking to Badenoch to ring the changes.

Making history

Badenoch is the first black woman to lead a Westminster Party. But despite it being celebrated as historic by many, Badenoch herself has played it down, saying she doesn’t want “that to be the thing that ends up being talked about”.

When Labour’s Rachel Reeves said she was “deeply proud” to be the first ever female chancellor, Badenoch responded that it was a “very very low glass ceiling” and “nowhere near as significant as what other women in this country have achieved.”

I want Christians to be defended by politicians, but not appropriated because we are electorally useful

These comments are characteristically abrupt. Her no-nonsense style wins her both allies and enemies – but she will have to be careful that her abrasiveness doesn’t lose her support on the benches behind her.

Cultural Christian

Badenoch has also joined the growing ranks of those who refer to themselves as a “cultural Christian”. She got married in a Catholic church, and her two children were both baptised, leading her to also refer to herself as “an honorary Catholic”. 

When my friend, Scottish MSP Kate Forbes, was grilled on her personal faith, Badenoch, as then Equalities Minister, spoke out: “If you’re asking me to condemn someone for their religious views, you’ve misunderstood the role of a Minister for Equalities”, she said, adding: “I’m not religious at all but I understand it. I grew up in a very religious country, so I understand what it means to people.”

While I welcome her defence of freedom of expression, and the sympathetic tone she takes towards people of faith, I am sceptical of those who see Christianity as merely part of a pantheon of patriotic badges – all about culture, but not about faith in Christ.

I don’t want us to end up like America, where Christian nationalism has created a different gospel and, in doing so, has alienated half the country from taking the real gospel seriously. I want Christians to be defended by politicians, but not appropriated because we are electorally useful.

Serving well

Being the leader of a party that has just suffered defeat is a tough gig – and I should know! In opposition, Badenoch has no direct means of changing things or pointing to achievements. She will have to fight hard for good airtime.

There is little glory involved in leading while in opposition, but it is an undervalued role in the parliamentary system. Holding the government to account, asking the awkward questions, requiring evidence for every claim, demanding a result from every promise is essential. It relies on diligent scrutiny, especially when a government holds such a huge majority.

 I am sceptical of those who see Christianity as merely part of a pantheon of patriotic badges

In the weeks and months ahead, Badenoch will face many challenges and have to make many tough decisions. With changes of leadership can come changes of culture. Let’s pray that the new leader of the opposition will carry her role with diligence and good faith.

We should pray as well for a government that listens. The book of proverbs is full of encouragements to listen to good advice, and act upon it: “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice” (Proverbs 12:15). “Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice” (Proverbs 13:10).

And let’s also pray for an opposition (and this challenge goes just as much to me as it does to Kemi Badenoch and the Conservatives) that scrutinises not for political point scoring and to further their own agenda, but also for the good of others.