New UK Conservative Party chairman predicts difficult local elections

British Minister without Portfolio and Tory party chairman Greg Hands walks outside Number 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain February 7, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville

LONDON (Reuters) - The new chairman of Britain's Conservative Party on Wednesday predicted a difficult set of local elections for the governing party in May but said it was building its campaign for a subsequent national election.

Greg Hands was appointed on Tuesday as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak re-arranged his ministerial team and created new departments to better align with his priorities ahead of a national parliamentary election expected in 2024.