Lib Dem response to Kemi Badenoch's election as Conservative Party leader in the Bishop's Stortford Independent

Having won the contest to become the new leader of the Conservative party, Kemi Badenoch declared it was “time to get down to business” – but her North West Essex constituents hope it will not be at their expense.

She was declared the winner on Saturday, beating Robert Jenrick by 53,806 votes to 41,388 to become the first black woman elected to lead a major British political party.

In July’s General Election she narrowly held on to her seat after seeing her majority slashed by almost 25,000 to just 2,610.

Uttlesford Liberal Democrats leader Geoffrey Sell said: “We would like to congratulate Kemi Badenoch on her election. She has made history on being the first black person to lead a major national party. It is important for our democracy that there is an effective opposition.

“Whether she will be able to restore her party’s popularity, only time will tell. She will have a difficult balancing act to perform. Does she tack towards former Conservative voters who supported Reform or those who supported the Liberal Democrats?

There is legitimate concern that NW Essex may see even less of her. Even before her election she was seen by some as an absentee MP. Her confrontational approach towards politics has got her to the top of her party. Will it appeal to Middle England? Liberal Democrats both locally and nationally will hold her to account.”