Conservatives Suffer Heavy Losses in UK Elections as Reform and Liberal Democrats Gain

The Conservatives took heavy losses in elections across the UK, as Reform and the Liberal Democrats siphoned votes from Kemi Badenoch's party.

In England, the Tories lost more than 500 seats and control of six councils. In Wales, they surrendered 22 Senedd seats to end up in fifth place.

Counting continues in Scotland, but the BBC projects the Conservatives will finish fifth with 13 or 14 seats.

Badenoch insisted grounds exist for optimism. "Good strategy takes time," she said.

The party's projected national vote share rose slightly from last year, from 15 percent to 17 percent. Conservatives also captured Westminster council from Labour.

Heavy losses hit the Conservatives in England, Scotland and Wales. Still, no leadership speculation surrounds Badenoch.

That may seem odd after such a poor showing at the polls. But close observers of the Tories in recent weeks saw no doubt about her future, no matter the scale of defeat.

The party highlights bright spots in the results, such as the Westminster gain and holding councils including Harlow, Broxbourne, Bexley and Fareham.

Two bigger factors shield the Conservative leader from any threat. Many MPs view Badenoch as an impressive performer at Prime Minister's Questions, where she spars weekly with the prime minister.

They also credit party leadership with smart use of parliamentary procedure. That includes forcing the government to release documents on Lord Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the US.

Early in her leadership stint, talk swirled that Robert Jenrick coveted the top job. He has since defected to Reform UK.

Some chatter suggested Sir James Cleverly might emerge as an internal critic. But he has stayed low-key and loyal since rejoining the shadow cabinet.