Former Liberal Democrat Minister Norman Baker has criticised Badenoch for struggling to position the Conservative Party effectively after launching the party's local election campaign.
"She can't make up her mind whether she's going to tilt towards Reform or tilt towards the centre," Baker told GB News.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch warned that her party faces "extremely difficult" local elections on May 1, as she launched the Tories' campaign.
Speaking to activists in Buckinghamshire, Badenoch struck a gloomy tone about the upcoming polls, which mark her first electoral test since becoming leader.
She admitted the elections would be "tough" and predicted dire results.
"If you map that general election result of 2024 onto this coming May, then we don't win the councils we won in 2021, we lose almost every single one," Badenoch told supporters.
Discussing Badenoch's launch, Baker told GB News of the squeeze facing the Tories from multiple directions.
"Two thirds of her MPs at those local elections have got Lib Dems breathing down her neck," Baker warned.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Baker suggested this positioning dilemma creates a strategic problem for Badenoch: "If she's going to tilt towards Reform, then she's leaving her MPs very vulnerable to even more seats going to the centre."
Baker also criticised Badenoch's campaign promises as unrealistic.
"She's promising lower taxes and better services - what does that mean? That's what everybody promises," he said.
"And there's no way of delivering it, to be honest with you."
He pointed to the Conservatives' record in government, claiming "local government finance slashed, so councils have got less flexibility than they used to have."
Baker further questioned Badenoch's performance as opposition leader.
"She's not really cutting it, is she, at Prime Minister's Questions or otherwise?" he remarked.
"The best challenge on Prime Minister's Questions on this week came from Labour MPs."
Find Out More...
"She can't make up her mind whether she's going to tilt towards Reform or tilt towards the centre," Baker told GB News.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch warned that her party faces "extremely difficult" local elections on May 1, as she launched the Tories' campaign.
Speaking to activists in Buckinghamshire, Badenoch struck a gloomy tone about the upcoming polls, which mark her first electoral test since becoming leader.
She admitted the elections would be "tough" and predicted dire results.
"If you map that general election result of 2024 onto this coming May, then we don't win the councils we won in 2021, we lose almost every single one," Badenoch told supporters.
Discussing Badenoch's launch, Baker told GB News of the squeeze facing the Tories from multiple directions.
"Two thirds of her MPs at those local elections have got Lib Dems breathing down her neck," Baker warned.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Kemi Badenoch takes huge swipe at Nigel Farage as she admits Tories face catastrophic defeats
- WATCH IN FULL: Kemi Badenoch launches local election campaign - 'Lower taxes, better services'
- JD Vance's jibe at UK immigration backed by Suella Braverman: 'There is some truth to it'
Baker suggested this positioning dilemma creates a strategic problem for Badenoch: "If she's going to tilt towards Reform, then she's leaving her MPs very vulnerable to even more seats going to the centre."
Baker also criticised Badenoch's campaign promises as unrealistic.
"She's promising lower taxes and better services - what does that mean? That's what everybody promises," he said.
"And there's no way of delivering it, to be honest with you."
He pointed to the Conservatives' record in government, claiming "local government finance slashed, so councils have got less flexibility than they used to have."
Baker further questioned Badenoch's performance as opposition leader.
"She's not really cutting it, is she, at Prime Minister's Questions or otherwise?" he remarked.
"The best challenge on Prime Minister's Questions on this week came from Labour MPs."
Find Out More...