Conservatives Brace for Major Losses in May Local Elections as Reform UK Gains Ground

Kemi Badenoch warns of an 'extremely difficult' outcome for her party, while Nigel Farage's Reform UK capitalizes on voter dissatisfaction and defections.

• Kemi Badenoch has predicted that the Conservatives could lose nearly all councils won during the 2021 'vaccine bounce' local elections.
• Nigel Farage's Reform UK is emerging as a significant challenger, with 29 councillors defecting to the party from other political groups.
• Badenoch has urged voters to focus on local issues like bin collections and potholes, warning against using the elections as a protest vote.
• The Conservative leader has criticized Reform UK as lacking governance experience and dismissed protest voting as a risky choice for local services.
• The May 1 elections will test shifting political dynamics, with the Conservatives facing pressure from Reform UK, Liberal Democrats, and other opposition parties.

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