A recent poll has revealed a significant divide within the Conservative Party, with 50% of its members voting that Kemi Badenoch should not lead the party into the next UK elections. The poll, conducted by YouGov between September 26 and October 2, surveyed 652 Conservative members.
According to the results, 46% of the members support Badenoch as the Tory leader, while a significant 50% believe she should not lead the party in the next election. This internal division raises questions about Badenoch’s ability to unite the party and lead it to victory in future elections.
Leadership Preferences
The poll also asked members about their preferred leader, and the results show:
– Robert Jenrick: 46% of the members prefer Jenrick, who lost to Badenoch in the leadership contest a year ago.
– Kemi Badenoch: 39% of the members support Badenoch, despite the internal divisions.
Party Members’ Views
The poll also gauged the opinions of party members on Badenoch’s leadership. The results show:
– Favorable opinion: 70% of the members have a favorable opinion of Badenoch, while 29% hold an unfavorable view.
– Jenrick’s popularity: 73% of the members have a favorable opinion of Jenrick, with 20% holding an unfavorable view.
The upcoming party conference in Manchester may provide an opportunity for Badenoch to steady her leadership and address the internal divisions within the party. However, with nearly half of the party members expressing doubts about her leadership, the road ahead looks challenging.