Badenoch admits election 'tough' amid wipeout fear

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch insisted her party had "the best offer" despite her own councillors fearing they could suffer heavy losses in May's local elections.

Party sources have said they could lose most of their 51 seats on Norfolk County Council.

But Badenoch, on a visit to King's Lynn, insisted the Tories had run the authority well since taking control in 2017.

The council's main opposition group, the Liberal Democrats, said the Conservatives had failed to provide competent leadership and wasted millions on the Western Link Road.

Launching her party's local election campaign in Norfolk, Badenoch said major infrastructure projects had been delivered under the Conservatives, including the Long Stratton bypass, while more sections of the A47 had been dualled.

"The Conservatives have done a fantastic job running Norfolk County Council," said Badenoch, who also praised new community facilities.

"I'm not saying everything is perfect, but in King's Lynn today, I just walked past a brand new library that's been opened - another one opened in Great Yarmouth," she added.

Tory sources have told the BBC their own polling suggests they could lose dozens of seats on the county council in May.

Badenoch admitted elections "are always tough" in a multi-party system but insisted "the Conservatives have the best offer".

Badenoch also defended the council's handling of the failed Norwich Western Link road, which had to be dropped because of concerns about its impact on rare bats.

About £56m was spent on the project, but Badenoch said there was a lack of "common sense" with some environmental regulations.

Brian Watkins, leader of the council's Liberal Democrats, said the Conservatives had failed to deliver on a promise of "strong leadership" when in power.

"The flagship Norwich Western Link has become the clearest example of this Conservative administration's short-sightedness and mismanagement; years of delay, millions spent, and nothing to show for it," he added.

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