Kemi Badenoch has opened up on the “biggest challenge of my life” in a heartfelt Christmas message to the nation.

Mrs Badenoch, who is about to conclude her first calendar year as Leader of the Opposition, also discussed her Methodist upbringing and how her three children have been raised Catholic.

Family featured as a central theme of Mrs Badenoch’s festive message, including her husband Hamish and her late father who passed away in 2022.

The Tory leader said: “Christmas is the most special time of year, a time for making merry, of course, seeing friends. But more than anything, Christmas is about family.

“One of the privileges of being a mother is watching my children grow up, and it happens so quickly.

“So, this Christmas, I’m excited to spend lots of quality time with them.

“This time of the year also makes me think about loved ones who are no longer with us, like my dad.

“I remember so many Christmases as a child and that’s why I’m building a tradition of Christmas with my children.

“Something which I hope they will one day share with their children.

“They love presents and Father Christmas, but I teach them that Christmas is also about the birth of Christ.

“I grew up in a Methodist family. My husband and kids are Catholic and we’re keen to instil in the children the values that Christmas teaches.

“Like giving being more important than receiving. Like the importance of sacrifice and service.“

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Despite faith featuring heavily in her Christmas message, Mrs Badenoch identifies as an “honorary member” of the Catholic Church.

The 45-year-old revealed last year that she no longer believes in God, instead identifying as an agnostic and a “cultural Christian”.

However, faith remains an important pillar of the Tory leader’s background.

She has previously spoken about her maternal grandfather being a Methodist reverend in Nigeria and her mother-in-law’s Catholic roots in Ireland.

However, Mrs Badenoch also used her Christmas message to reflect about the challenge of replacing Rishi Sunak as Tory leader.

“Life can be amazing, but it can also be bumpy,” Mrs Badenoch continued.

“Christmas is a chance to reflect on the year that’s been, be grateful for the good things, mourn what we may have lost, and look forward to what we are going to do in the coming year.

“With that in mind, I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported me during my first year as Leader of the Opposition.

“It’s been the biggest challenge of my life, but it’s also been a wonderful year.”

Mrs Badenoch became Tory leader in November last year following a knife-edge contest against now-Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick.

The North West Essex MP ended up being embroiled in a spat with Nigel Farage just a few weeks later when Reform UK soared past the Tories with paid-up members.

The Conservatives struggled in the first part of 2025, losing 674 wards and 16 councils in this year’s Local Elections.

Meanwhile, Reform UK has now consolidated its lead in the opinion polls, with Mr Farage vowing to wipe out the Tories in next year’s contests slated for May 7.

However, Mrs Badenoch’s ratings have ticked up in recent months following strong performances at Prime Minister’s Questions and a strong riposte to Rachel Reeves’s £26billion Budget tax raid.

Concluding her 2025 Christmas message, Mrs Badenoch added: “I can’t wait to get back to work next year to create a better United Kingdom.

“But in the meantime, I wish you a very Merry Christmas.”