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.
Speaking to activists in Buckinghamshire, Badenoch struck a gloomy tone about the upcoming polls, which mark her first electoral test since becoming leader.
Norman Baker has predicted it 'could be curtains' for the Tories at this year's local elections
PA / GB News
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.
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Kemi Badenoch has launched the Tory 2025 Local Elections campaign
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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."
Baker told GB News that Badenoch is 'not cutting it' in her performance so far as Tory leader
GB News
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."
