Badenoch claims Tories ‘coming back’ despite widespread losses in local elections

Badenoch’s statement came after the Conservatives won back Westminster and Wandsworth councils in London

• Elections 2026 live: latest news updates

• Full results from England, Scotland and Wales

Kemi Badenoch has claimed that the Conservatives are “coming back” after winning back Westminster and Wandsworth councils from Labour in London, despite her party suffering significant losses throughout England in Thursday’s elections.

The party also saw off a threat from Reform in Bexley. But the Tories suffered a series of losses in Essex, where Badenoch herself is an MP, losing 13 seats while Reform gained 52. It held on to Harlow, securing all 11 district council seats available.