The Conservative Party faces a deepening crisis as internal doubt grows and public support crumbles. Since losing power last July, the party has seen a steady decline in morale and electoral strength. Several MPs now question whether their leader, Kemi Badenoch, can steer them back to relevance.
The initial hope following Badenoch’s leadership win has faded quickly, further highlighting the Conservative Party’s deepening crisis. She defeated rivals like Robert Jenrick and James Cleverly, yet the party’s recovery has not materialized. Despite being in opposition for nearly seven months, the Conservatives continue to lose ground.
The recent local election results further exposed the party’s troubles. Many predicted the Conservatives would lose all remaining councils—and they did. That failure confirmed what many feared: Reform UK’s rise is not just a polling trend but a ballot box reality.
Compared to past opposition periods, the situation looks bleak. When William Hague took over in 1997, he helped the party gain ground by 1998. Likewise, Ed Miliband boosted Labour’s local support after their 2010 defeat. Badenoch’s leadership shows no such turnaround, accentuating the deepening crisis they face.
Since the local elections, the decline has accelerated. The party has lost 44 more councillors in just a few weeks. Two defected to Reform UK this week alone. Others became independents or left public service. Meanwhile, Reform UK gained 19 councillors through defections and by-elections.
Party insiders are now openly concerned, acknowledging the deepening crisis the Conservative Party faces. One adviser says few supporters believe Badenoch will lead them into the next election. Another senior figure warns the party is at a crossroads—either it recovers or fades into political history.
Badenoch’s performance in Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) has also raised eyebrows. On 21 May, she missed an opportunity to address a major policy reversal by Labour. Her response appeared off-script, prompting speculation she wasn’t paying attention. Badenoch dismissed the criticism and defended her approach.
Some party members want her to add humor to her PMQs strategy. Badenoch prefers a more serious tone and refuses to shift tactics. She believes PMQs should reflect thoughtful political debate, not entertainment, even amidst the deepening crisis within her party.
Starmer, however, often uses Badenoch’s questions to attack Reform UK, underscoring their growing influence. Ironically, as Labour loses support, those votes shift not to the Conservatives but to Reform. This leaves Badenoch’s party struggling for identity and relevance.
The Conservative Party faces a deepening crisis. With defections rising, support falling, and doubts growing, its path forward remains uncertain.
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