The Conservative Party is once again gripped by internal unrest as shadow ministers weigh a potential leadership coup against Kemi Badenoch, amid fears of another bruising electoral defeat next May.

Badenoch, who sought to project authority and unity at the recent party conference, is battling to contain discontent within her ranks. Sources close to the shadow cabinet say a faction of MPs, frustrated by what they see as faltering direction and stalled momentum, have begun informal talks about a change at the top.

At the centre of the unrest is former cabinet minister Robert Jenrick, whose allies believe the time is ripe for a challenge. One senior Tory described the mood among MPs as “volatile,” warning that “the party can’t afford another year of drift.”

Badenoch’s allies insist she remains firmly in control and dismiss talk of a coup as “Westminster gossip,” but several backbenchers have expressed doubts about her leadership ahead of the crucial local elections. “If May goes badly, it’s hard to see how she survives,” said one MP privately.

Behind the scenes, strategists fear a poor performance could further fracture the party’s fragile unity, emboldening Jenrick and others eyeing the leadership. For now, Badenoch is focusing on rebuilding the party’s message and restoring voter confidence — but as one insider put it, “She’s running out of time to prove she’s the one to lead the comeback.”