The Conservative Party in the United Kingdom is in the midst of a leadership crisis following a devastating defeat in recent local elections. Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling Conservative Party are now calling for the resignation of their leader, Kemi Badenoch, as panic spreads within the party over its future direction.
Following last week’s local elections, the Tories lost 15 councils and 674 seats, leading to widespread disappointment within the party. Some MPs have now demanded urgent meetings to discuss the possibility of removing Badenoch as leader. The loss is seen as even worse than the results of the general election last year, with one MP lamenting, “We have somehow gone backwards.”
Among those calling for change, two senior backbenchers confirmed that they are planning meetings with fellow parliamentarians to discuss Badenoch’s future. One of the MPs was quoted as saying, “We cannot continue as we are, and she is just not up to the task.”
The defeat comes at a time when Nigel Farage’s Reform Party has gained momentum, winning 676 seats and taking control of 10 councils. Farage’s success has raised concerns within the Conservative Party, with some suggesting that Reform is now emerging as the primary opposition to the Labour Party.
Many Conservative MPs have expressed frustration over Badenoch’s lack of a clear strategy to tackle the rise of Reform, with some even criticizing her leadership style and decision-making. Despite efforts to rally support for an anti-Reform attack unit, aimed at countering Farage’s influence, Badenoch failed to take action, leaving many within her party feeling unsupported.
As calls for her removal grow, former Foreign Secretary Sir James Cleverly has emerged as a potential contender for the Conservative leadership. He told GB News over the weekend that while he supports Badenoch, he could not rule out a leadership bid should the position become vacant.
Critics of Badenoch have also raised concerns about her choice of senior staff, with some claiming that former MPs like Rachel MacLean and Therese Coffey lack the understanding of the party’s dire situation. The general sentiment among MPs is that there is no coherent strategy or leadership to tackle the challenges the party faces, especially with Reform’s increasing influence.
Despite the mounting pressure, Kemi Badenoch remains determined to stay in office. In an interview with BBC, she rejected the idea that changing leadership would solve the party’s problems. She argued that the party’s challenges are not simply about winning elections but are instead deeply rooted in fixing the country’s broader issues. “This is not about winning elections; this is about fixing our country,” she said, while also suggesting that it would take more than six months to resolve the party’s issues.
However, her comments have only added to the anxiety within her party. One senior MP expressed concern that Badenoch is underestimating the urgency of the situation, warning that it may already be too late to turn things around. “She has left a huge space for Nigel Farage to fill,” the MP said.
As the Conservative Party grapples with the aftermath of the local election defeat, MPs continue to debate whether a change in leadership is necessary to salvage the party’s future. While some are calling for immediate action, others are urging patience, claiming that Badenoch needs more time to address the party’s challenges. Only time will tell if the Conservative Party can overcome its current crisis.
