Conservative party leader offers apologies to council members as Reform party achieves significant victories in local elections
Title: Tory Leader Kemi Badenoch Apologizes for Local Election Losses; Vows to Regain Public Trust
In the aftermath of the 2025 local elections, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch had extended her sympathies to the Conservative councillors who lost their seats, as Reform UK made massive gains at the Tories' expense[1][2][5]. Badenoch expressed her understanding that their losses were "disappointing" and voiced her "sincere apologies," but she remained optimistic, asserting, "We are going to win those seats back - that is my job now"[1].
The Conservatives faced significant losses overall, sliding out of control in all 18 councils they were holding, which were up for re-election. The local elections included a total of 23 councils[1]. In the particularly hard-hit Buckinghamshire, the Conservatives lost control by just one seat, having lost 29 seats in total[1].
Reform, which was running in local elections for the first time, took eight councils from the Conservatives, wresting one previously uncontrolled council away from them and one from Labour - the only Labour council up for grabs in this election[1]. The Liberal Democrats managed to win Shropshire from the Conservatives, as well as Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire - both of which had no overall control before[1].
Despite these losses, the Conservatives celebrated one win, with Paul Bristow being voted as the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayor, a position previously held by Labour[1]. Reform's first significant win of the election was the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, in which Labour lost to Reform by a mere six votes[1]. This by-election was triggered due to former Labour MP Mike Amesbury stepping down after being convicted for punching a constituent[1].
Sir Keir Starmer admitted to understanding why Labour suffered defeat in Runcorn and promised to deliver quicker change in response to the election results[1]. Badenoch acknowledged that other parties might be winning now, but suggested that the Conservatives would demonstrate their ability to deliver and rebuild trust with the public[1].
However, she cautioned that the public was not yet ready to trust the Conservatives, acknowledging the immense task of rebuilding the party's trustworthiness[1]. Badenoch commented that Reform's election successes showed Sir Keir Starmer might be on course to be a one-term Prime Minister[5].
When asked about the possibility of her leadership lasting until the next general election, Badenoch avoided answering directly and emphasized that her focus was not on herself, but rather the Conservatives and the work needed to regain credibility as a viable alternative to Labour[5].
Related Topics:
- Conservatives
- Kemi Badenoch
- Reform UK
Additional Resources:
- Local election in maps and charts: Reform delivers massive blow to traditional parties
- Reform has put the two traditional parties on notice - and we don't know where this ends
- Runcorn by-election goes to recount as just four votes separate Labour and Reform
- Reform's political earthquake is now shaking our political system
- Reform wins two new mayoral contests
[1] Link to more details and analysis about the local elections results[2] Additional commentary from Kemi Badenoch's apology[3] A closer look at the political situation in Cambridgeshire, Shropshire, and Oxfordshire[4] Insights on the impact of Reform UK's surge in the overall voting landscape[5] Further thoughts from Kemi Badenoch on Labour's weak performance and the future of the Conservative Party
- Despite the Conservative Party's significant losses in the 2025 local elections, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch remains certain they will regain the seats lost to Reform UK, vowing to rebuild public trust.
- Reform UK made a major impact in the elections, taking control of eight councils from the Conservatives, including Shropshire, and one from Labour.
- The Liberal Democrats also made gains, winning Shropshire from the Conservatives, among other councils previously without overall control.
- As the Conservatives work to regain their political footing, Kemi Badenoch suggests Reform UK's success may indicate that Labour's Sir Keir Starmer could be a one-term Prime Minister.
