Tory MPs Discuss Plans to Oust Kemi Badenoch Amid Election Losses

Following devastating local election losses, senior Conservative MPs are openly discussing the removal of party leader Kemi Badenoch, citing a lack of effective strategy and failure to address the surge of Reform UK, which outperformed the Tories in several areas. Some MPs are urging Robert Jenrick to challenge Badenoch, with others suggesting former foreign secretary James Cleverly as a possible centrist alternative. Critics argue that Badenoch has not provided the leadership needed to counter Reform's rise, and concern is growing that the Conservatives could be supplanted as one of the UK's two main parties. However, Badenoch has dismissed calls for her resignation, warning that simply changing leaders again will not resolve the party's deeper issues, and emphasizing her commitment to stabilizing and uniting the party. Some party officials and supporters maintain that Badenoch deserves more time, given she has only been leader for six months. The party remains divided on whether leadership change or broader strategic reforms are needed to recover from its historic defeat.