Key Points
- Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, claims her party is “cutting through” to voters ahead of the local elections in London on 7 May 2026.
- Badenoch told BBC London that people need a “Conservative message” and that she is leading “a new Conservative Party under a new leader, not the one they said no to two years ago,” emphasising she is “changing this party for the better.”
- All 32 London boroughs are up for election; Conservatives currently control five councils, with Croydon’s directly elected mayor also Conservative.
- Badenoch described her party as “the only credible alternative to Labour at these London elections.”
- Addressing struggles in outer London, Badenoch said the Conservative message is “getting through” amid increased competition in a shift from two-party to “multi-party politics.”
- She noted that Labour, which won a “huge landslide” 18 months ago, is “already intensely disliked,” prompting voters to seek “something completely new.”
- Responding to Reform UK and Green Party rises, Badenoch reiterated her party is “a new Conservative Party under new leadership,” criticising Reform’s Nigel Farage for inconsistent positions on benefits and Greens’ Zack Polanski for denying “attacks against Jews.”
- Badenoch stressed honesty: “We’re not doing all that stuff… I’m not making promises I can’t deliver,” urging votes for Conservatives because “what I’m saying will happen.”
- Currently, Conservatives govern five or six of 32 boroughs, down from previous years; Labour controls 21.
- Polls suggest Labour losses, with Greens and Reform gaining in some boroughs.
London (The Londoner News) April 30, 2026 – Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, has positioned the Tories as a revitalised force ahead of the 7 May local elections across all 32 London boroughs, insisting they offer the sole credible challenge to Labour dominance. In a pointed interview with BBC London, she dismissed perceptions of Tory struggles, highlighting a transformed party under her leadership. Badenoch’s remarks come amid polls forecasting Labour setbacks and surges for Reform UK and the Greens.
- Key Points
- Who Is Kemi Badenoch and What Is Her Message to London Voters?
- Why Are Conservatives Currently Holding Few London Boroughs?
- What Challenges Do Tories Face from Reform UK and Greens?
- How Have Polls Predicted Outcomes for London Elections?
- What Is Labour’s Current Standing and Response?
- What Broader Context Shapes the 2026 Campaign?
Who Is Kemi Badenoch and What Is Her Message to London Voters?
Kemi Badenoch told BBC London:
“People need a Conservative message, and I want them to see that this is a new Conservative Party under a new leader, not the one they said no to two years ago – I am changing this party for the better.”
As reported by BBC News in coverage of her local radio interviews, Badenoch was interviewed by Eddie Nestor and asserted her party is
In the same BBC exchange, she addressed competition in outer London safe seats, replying:
“Actually, what’s happening is that the message is getting through but there is a lot more competition.”
Badenoch explained:
“We have moved from an era of two-party politics to multi-party politics and that means that we need to do things a bit differently.”
She added:
“What’s actually happening is that a government party that came in with a huge landslide 18 months ago is already intensely disliked. People are now looking for something completely new.”
Why Are Conservatives Currently Holding Few London Boroughs?
The Conservatives control five councils in London, with the directly elected mayor of Croydon also Tory. According to BBC reporting, this is down from previous holdings, with Labour governing 21 of the 32 boroughs. A Wikipedia overview of the 2026 elections confirms all 1,817 seats across the boroughs are contested.
BBC News noted Conservatives have ceded three authorities to Labour since 2022, now holding only six in some counts. In her BBC London interview, Badenoch avoided specific predictions but aimed for “100%, every seat,” vowing Conservative councils would raise council tax minimally for “safer streets.”
What Challenges Do Tories Face from Reform UK and Greens?
In response to the rise of Reform UK and the Green Party, Badenoch said her party was “a new Conservative Party under new leadership.” She criticised:
“The Greens and Reform are saying all sorts of things to all sorts of people. Today Nigel Farage wants to cut benefits, tomorrow he wants to increase benefits. Zack Polanski is telling people that there’s only a perception of attacks against Jews.”
Badenoch contrasted:
“We’re not doing all that stuff. We’re being honest with people. I’m not making promises I can’t deliver – sometimes people will be attracted to promises that are never going to be delivered.”
Polls back multi-party shifts; a YouGov/Sky News survey projects Labour topping only 15 boroughs (down six), Greens four, Reform three. YouTube analysis by Sky’s Sam Coates highlighted Greens surging centrally (22%), Reform outer (40%).
How Have Polls Predicted Outcomes for London Elections?
A New Arab report on a 22 April poll estimated Labour securing highest vote in 15 boroughs, six fewer than 2022. The Independent detailed Labour facing worst London result in nearly 50 years, with Reform and Greens eroding bases. Economics Observatory warned Labour risks losing control of Barking and Dagenham, Camden, others to Green surge.
BBC’s Eddie Nestor coverage quoted Badenoch committing to strategy despite challenges. Earlier, at her 19 March campaign launch reported by BBC, she called Tories “the only party with a plan” versus “complaining” rivals. Ciceros.org covered her Westminster speech promising lower taxes, farmer support, tougher enforcement.
What Is Labour’s Current Standing and Response?
Labour, holding 21 councils, faces headwinds; London’s mayor Sadiq Khan warned fewer Labour councils mean “less investment.” Polls show Labour at 26% in some models, down sharply. YouGov April figures nationally had Reform 24%, Con 19%, Lab 16%, Grn 16%.
Badenoch, in BBC London, tied discontent to Labour’s post-landslide unpopularity. GB News context noted Reform ditching nationalisation pledges.
What Broader Context Shapes the 2026 Campaign?
Badenoch launched the campaign 19 March, pledging “get Britain working,” per Alex Burghart’s site. BBC reported her Radio Leeds focus on business rates relief. Past setbacks, like 2025 Kent losses to Reform, contextualise efforts.
She urged: “I want people to see that what I’m saying will happen and that’s why you should vote Conservative.” With elections days away, her pitch frames Tories as steady amid flux.
