Kemi Badenoch is the leader the Conservative Party needs (Image: PA)

       After attending a hustings event in Cardiff featuring both Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch, I left impressed by the strength of both candidates.

       However, a choice had to be made – and I’m proud to have cast my vote for Kemi. For years, I’ve admired her fearless approach to politics. She’s never been afraid to tackle difficult issues head-on or challenge the sacred cows of the left. Kemi speaks with conviction, and it’s clear she’s earned every step of her rise through sheer hard work and determination.

       Although born in the UK, Kemi spent her early years in Nigeria, facing the challenges of life in a developing country. When she returned to the UK, she worked her way through university, supported herself, and then thrived in the private sector, before rising to the highest levels of government.

       Her story is a powerful example of what grit and dedication can achieve. My support for Kemi goes beyond admiration. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with her during her time as Secretary of State for Business and Trade, especially on the deal that saved thousands of steel jobs at Port Talbot.

       Tata Steel was on the brink of pulling out from steelmaking in the UK completely. This would have meant 8,000 job losses and the end of steelmaking in the country.

       Kemi stepped up to solve one of the biggest crises facing the country, securing a ￡500million government investment to build an electric arc furnace, saving around 5,000 jobs and ensuring steel production continued.

       Of course, even with this major win, 3,000 redundancies still loomed. Yet Kemi didn’t stop there. She fought to secure an additional ￡80million from the Treasury to re-train those affected and invest in infrastructure that would attract new businesses to Port Talbot.

       Combined with the development of the Celtic Freeport, this deal has the potential to transform the region’s economy. And while Labour has tried to claim credit for this deal after winning the election, let’s be clear: the real credit belongs to Kemi.

       One of the first major tasks for the next Conservative Party leader will be the devolved elections in both Wales and Scotland, in just over a year's time. The Senedd election, in particular, will be highly significant, given that Welsh Labour’s popularity is at rock-bottom. After 25 years of mismanaging our schools, hospitals and economy, the public has finally had a gutful of the Labour-run Welsh Government.

       Perhaps the most scandalous move of the Labour-run Welsh Government is their decision to force health boards to make deep financial cuts to then spend over ￡100 million scandalously on creating more politicians. When that election comes, we will need a Conservative Party leader who will point out all these things and take the fight to Welsh Labour – as well as to Reform…

       We need to show that the Welsh Conservatives are the only alternative to Welsh Labour. I truly believe that the best person for doing that is Kemi.

       Both Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are talented individuals who have spent the last few months crisscrossing the country, engaging with Conservative Party members, answering tough questions, and laying out their visions for winning back public trust after our disastrous election result in July.

       When it comes to leadership, though, Kemi Badenoch is the bold, determined, and principled choice we need right now. That’s why she has my vote.