Kemi Badenoch is unlikely to become the next prime minister, but by the secondary gauge of political party leadership contests – raising one’s profile and securing a prized frontbench post under the winner – she has already done well.
The Saffron Walden MP and former levelling up minister had already definitely edged ahead of Suella Braverman in the mini-race for prominence among right-leaning culture warriors, securing a top-level endorsement from Michael Gove and some positive polling figures.
