No leadership pressure on Badenoch despite Tory losses

No leadership pressure on Badenoch despite Tory losses6 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJack FenwickPolitical correspondentGetty ImagesKemi Badenoch celebrates a rare victory in WestminsterThe Conservatives have suffered heavy losses in elections across the UK, with both Reform and the Liberal Democrats taking votes off Kemi Badenoch's party.In England, the Tories lost more than 500 seats and lost control six councils, while in Wales they lost 22 Senedd seats to finish in fifth place.With counting in Scotland still ongoing, the BBC is projecting that the Conservatives could finish fifth with 13 or 14 seats.Kemi Badneoich has insisted there are ground for optimism and said that "good strategy takes time".The Conservatives' projected national share of the vote has increased slightly since this time last year, from 15% to 17% and the party managed to take Westminster council from Labour.But despite heavy Conservative losses in England, Scotland and Wales, there is no hint of leadership speculation surrounding Badenoch.That might seem strange for a party that has had such a bad night at the polls.But it will not surprise anyone who has been watching the Tories closely in recent weeks, when it's become clear that regardless of the level of Conservative losses, Badenoch's future would not be in doubt.The party is pointing to some glimmers of hope among these election results, including Westminster and holding on to other councils such as Harlow, Broxbourne, Bexley and Fareham.But there are two much more important factors which have prevented any sense of jeopardy from forming around the Conservative leader.Starmer under pressure, as Labour suffers heavy elections lossesMany Labour MPs are blaming the boss for elections body blowReform election gains show historic shift in British politics, says FarageThe first is her performances in Parliament. Many MPs believe that Badenoch has for some months now been an impressive combatant at...