Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has rejected mounting pressure to step down after the party’s crushing defeat in the local elections, asserting that replacing her will not reverse the Tories’ fortunes.
The Conservatives lost more than 600 councillors and all 15 councils under their control, while Reform UK gained significant ground, pushing the Tories into third place across many regions.
In a defiant statement, Badenoch said: “For anyone who believes switching leaders again will solve everything, this result proves otherwise. We’ve done that before, and it led us to one of our worst defeats.”
Former North Northamptonshire Council leader Jason Smithers, whose council flipped to Reform UK, was among those calling for her resignation. “She didn’t contribute to these elections at all. Her leadership hasn’t helped,” he said.
Badenoch, however, defended her approach: “We’re just six months into a five-year plan. We’re stabilizing the party and staying unified. Reform had a strong showing — we didn’t. That’s the reality.”
Acknowledging voter frustration fueling Reform’s rise, she noted, “There’s a protest mood in the country… and things may get worse before they improve.”
When asked about the possibility of Nigel Farage becoming prime minister, she responded, “Anything is feasible,” but emphasized, “My job is to make sure that doesn’t happen. He doesn’t have the solutions Britain needs.”
