Kemi Badenoch, the outspoken leader of the British Conservative Party, has publicly discussed her personal beliefs. In an interview with The Free Press, a U.S.-based media outlet, Badenoch revealed that she no longer believes in God.
However, she made it clear that she does not consider herself an atheist. Instead, she identifies as agnostic. She described herself as a “cultural Christian,” acknowledging her past belief in God but emphasizing that her current view is shaped more by culture than by faith.
Badenoch stressed that the significance of belief—or lack thereof—lies in how individuals live according to those beliefs, rather than simply adhering to a particular faith.
“I don’t believe in God anymore. But I’m not an atheist, I’m agnostic,” she said. “I used to believe in God very much, but now I describe myself as a cultural Christian. What matters is what you do with your belief, or lack of it.”
Born Olukemi Adegoke to Nigerian Yoruba parents in the UK, Badenoch later adopted her husband’s last name after marrying a Scottish banker. She spent part of her childhood in Nigeria before moving back to the UK at the age of 16.