Kemi Badenoch urges Conservative staff to improve amid polling decline

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has urged her party staff to 'do better' in light of recent polling that has placed the Conservatives in third position, trailing behind Reform UK and Labour. In an all-staff call, she emphasized the need for dedication and high performance among team members, confirming that she had given 'tough words' to underperforming staff. Badenoch's leadership has faced criticism, with polls indicating that a significant portion of the public and Conservative voters doubts her readiness to lead. Additionally, Badenoch has introduced a new immigration policy requiring foreign workers to reside in the UK for ten years before being eligible for indefinite leave, amidst concerns about losing high-profile donors to Reform UK. Reports suggest that morale at Conservative Campaign Headquarters is low, with staff feeling pressured and uncertain about campaign strategies. The situation reflects broader challenges facing the party as it navigates internal and external pressures in the lead-up to elections.