A recent YouGov poll reveals growing doubt among UK Conservative Party members over Kemi Badenoch’s leadership, with half of respondents saying she should not lead the party into the next general election.
The survey, reported by Sky News on October 6, found that 46 percent still support her staying in charge.
The poll also highlights Robert Jenrick, who lost to Badenoch in last year’s leadership contest, as the members’ preferred choice. When asked who they would like as Conservative leader, 46 percent picked Jenrick, compared with 39 percent for Badenoch, 11 percent for neither, and 4 percent undecided.
Members are split on whether Badenoch will remain in position, with 49 percent believing she will be replaced before the election and 47 percent expecting her to continue. The upcoming party conference in Manchester is seen as a key opportunity for her to consolidate support.
Among the 652 Conservative members surveyed between September 26 and October 2, 70 percent held a favourable view of Badenoch, while 29 percent were unfavourable. Jenrick’s approval rating was slightly higher, with 73 percent favourable and 20 percent unfavourable.
On electoral strategy, Badenoch has ruled out any pact with Reform UK for the next election, though 64 percent of party members support such an arrangement to avoid competing in key constituencies, while 31 percent oppose it.
The poll also suggests Jenrick would comfortably beat Boris Johnson, James Cleverly, and Priti Patel in a leadership contest, while Badenoch would narrowly outperform Johnson in a head-to-head matchup.
