Britain’s humbled Conservative Party elected Kemi Badenoch as its new leader on Saturday, turning to a right-wing favorite who has railed against identity politics, transgender rights and state spending to rebuild its reputation after a devastating election defeat.

LONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - A self-proclaimed straight speaker, Kemi Badenoch will bring a combative right-wing tone to the role of leader of Britain's Conservative Party, vowing a return to "authentic conservatism" to rebuild a party facing an uphill struggle to return to power.

The new leader of the UK Conservatives, the first Black woman to lead a major British political party, is expected to push the Tories further toward the right. Kemi Badenoch was elected Saturday to lead the party, after former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stepped down following its crushing electoral defeat to Labour in July.