LONDON, England – Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader, has rejected mounting calls to resign after the party suffered a historic defeat in the local elections, losing over 600 councillors and all 15 councils it previously controlled.
The results marked one of the party’s worst local election performances in decades, with Reform UK emerging as a major disruptor, often pushing the Conservatives into third place.
Amid growing internal pressure, Badenoch pushed back on the idea that another leadership change could reverse the party’s fortunes.
“What this shows, for a lot of people who hoped that just changing leader again would fix everything, is that that’s not going to be enough,” she said in a televised interview.
“We tried that previously and that brought us to an historic defeat.”
The Conservative Party has changed leaders three times in as many years, with Badenoch taking over six months ago following a bitter internal contest.
Critics within the party are calling for accountability.
Jason Smithers, the ousted leader of North Northamptonshire Council — now controlled by Reform UK — was direct in his criticism.
“She has not helped in these elections; she has not once come forward and helped at all,” he said, calling for Badenoch’s resignation.
But the Conservative leader defended her position and strategy, urging patience and unity.
“This is six months into a five-year project. What we are doing is steadying the ship, being united,” she said.
“Reform had a good night, we had a bad night.”
Badenoch acknowledged the rising public discontent fueling support for Reform UK.
“Protest is in the air… I suspect things will get worse,” she admitted.
Asked whether Reform founder Nigel Farage could become prime minister, she conceded: “Anything is feasible.” However, she stressed, “My job is to make sure that he does not become PM because he does not have the answers to the problems the country is facing.”
The local election outcome has intensified scrutiny of the Conservative Party’s direction as it braces for a general election within the next 18 months.
Reform UK, capitalising on voter disillusionment with traditional parties, has vowed to build on its momentum, raising the stakes for Badenoch and her embattled leadership.
