After a bruising set of local election results, all eyes are now on Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch—and insiders say it’s time for her to start cracking the whip.
Despite trying to put a brave face on the situation, Badenoch has admitted that the party is “down,” but she insists it’s “not out.”
Her message is clear: the Tories need to regroup, come up with a proper plan, and show voters they still have fight left in them.
But behind the scenes, many MPs are losing patience, warning that unless her shadow cabinet steps up, things could get even worse when the general election rolls around.
MPs Say Some Tory Frontbenchers Are “Coasting”
The brutal truth? Some within the party feel like the leadership isn’t the problem—it’s the shadow cabinet.
Several MPs are concerned that too many of their colleagues are coasting and simply not putting in the effort needed to hold Labour to account.
One former minister didn’t mince words, saying that while Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are clearly pulling their weight, there’s a whole chunk of the shadow cabinet who just aren’t showing up to the fight.
“This battle is existential,” he said. “And they need to realise it’s time to either step up or step aside.”
Jenrick Praised for Energy While Others Stay Quiet
Interestingly, despite losing the leadership contest last year, Robert Jenrick hasn’t slowed down—if anything, he’s doubled down.
While some critics still grumble that he’s positioning himself politically, others see him as setting the example his colleagues should be following.
Hard-working frontbenchers like Chris Philp, Victoria Atkins, Andrew Bowie, and Mel Stride are also being applauded for their efforts.
According to insiders, they’re some of the few who are visibly committed to rebuilding trust and engaging with voters.
But the concern is clear: too many others are staying quiet, and it’s creating a vacuum Labour is more than happy to fill.
Warnings of Defections if Things Don’t Turn Around
The stakes? Pretty high. One former Cabinet member warned that unless more shadow ministers start taking the current political crisis seriously, the Tories could see defections to Reform UK.
“They need to find their fire again,” the former minister said bluntly.
“Otherwise, you’ll see MPs who want a real right-wing government jump ship.”
And while one senior MP acknowledged that opposition is tough, they still noted that some of their colleagues are just too quiet to be effective.
The consensus seems to be: it’s not enough to hold a title—you have to use it to make noise.
Badenoch Stresses a “Slow and Steady” Comeback
Kemi Badenoch, however, is staying optimistic—at least publicly.
She spoke on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg and reassured viewers that the Conservatives can bounce back.
But she also admitted it won’t be an overnight fix.
She touched on the rise of Nigel Farage’s movement, acknowledging his appeal to frustrated voters.
Still, she was quick to point out that unlike the two main parties, Farage doesn’t have a record in government to defend.
“Now he’s going to be running some councils,” she said with a pointed tone. “We’ll see how that goes.”
Tory Party Faces a Moment of Reckoning
So what happens next? That depends on whether the shadow cabinet gets the message.
The calls for action are growing louder, and for some Tory MPs, the local elections were a warning shot.
Unless Badenoch can get her team in sync—and quickly—the party risks losing not just votes, but its very identity.
