Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch used a breaking news announcement on GB News on Thursday (March 20) to kick off her party’s local election campaign, delivering a scathing critique of Labour-run councils and urging voters to reject what she called Labour’s “trash” governance. The intervention comes as the Tories aim to regain control of councils lost to Labour following their defeat in last year’s General Election.
Badenoch’s message was direct and aimed squarely at Labour’s record in local government. “Look at Labour councils. Labour councils always cost you more and deliver less,” she said. “I was in Birmingham at the weekend. Labour has run it into the ground. Bins not collected, rubbish piling high everywhere.
They have a £1 billion black hole in their budget. Now they’ve hiked council tax by 21% over two years and cut services. All while Labour councillors gave themselves a pay rise. I say to all of you watching, don’t let Labour do that to your council. If you vote Labour, you get trash.”
Badenoch contrasted Labour’s record with the Conservatives’ vision for local government, emphasizing efficiency, low taxes, and practical improvements. “Instead of fixing the basics, they waste money on bloated bureaucracy, pointless projects, vanity decisions, vanity spending, and when those bad decisions leave them bankrupt, who pays? We all do,” she said.
“On May 1st, your choice is clear. A Conservative councillor and a Conservative mayor will focus on the things that matter to you, such as keeping council tax low, filling potholes, keeping streets clean, protecting local services. If you believe in efficient government, low taxes, and living within our means, then vote Conservative.”
While Badenoch’s speech was aimed at rallying Conservative voters, it sparked mixed reactions from GB News viewers. Some criticized the Tories’ own record in government, pointing out that many of the issues she highlighted, such as potholes and inefficient services, have persisted under Conservative rule.
One viewer commented, “Yeah, cause all the potholes got fixed under the Tories, didn’t they?!” Another wrote, “If you vote Conservative, you get the same rubbish as we have had for 14 years. Never trust them again. Vote Reform for a better future!” A third viewer criticized Badenoch’s delivery, saying, “I doubt your integrity and intentions if you have to read your address. No power, no passion, just reading words. You could have got Claudia Winkleman to do it.”
Badenoch admitted that the upcoming local elections will be “extremely difficult” for the Conservatives, particularly in the wake of their historic defeat in the 2024 General Election. “This year will be… the first time since the general election – the greatest defeat in our party’s history – that we fight these seats. If you map that general election result of 2024 on to this coming May, then we don’t win the councils we won in 2021, we lose almost every single one,” she said.
Her comments reflect the uphill battle the Conservatives face as they attempt to rebuild support and regain control of local councils. With Labour currently in power nationally, the Tories are positioning themselves as the party of fiscal responsibility and practical governance at the local level.
The local elections on May 1 will be a key test for both major parties. For Labour, the challenge will be to defend their record in local government and convince voters that they can deliver efficient and effective services. For the Conservatives, the focus will be on presenting a credible alternative and rebuilding trust after years of national governance that many voters feel failed to address key issues.
As the campaign heats up, Badenoch’s message underscores the high stakes for both parties and the importance of local elections in shaping the political landscape ahead of the next General Election.
Source: Adapted from recent reports and reactions to Kemi Badenoch’s local election campaign launch on GB News.
