Discontented members of the Conservative party are losing faith in Kemi Badenoch, as half of them believe she is not fit to lead the party into the next election. According to a recent survey conducted by YouGov among Tory members, only 46% support her leadership for the upcoming polls, while 50% do not. There is a divide among members regarding her future, with 49% speculating that she will step down before the next election and 47% believing she will remain in office.
Although Kemi Badenoch emerged victorious over Robert Jenrick in the previous leadership contest, the poll indicates that Jenrick now enjoys more favor among members, with a 46% to 39% preference. With Reform UK gaining ground over the Tories, a significant 64% of members are in favor of an electoral alliance with Nigel Farage’s party, and nearly half (46%) are open to a complete merger with Reform UK.
Conservative members overwhelmingly reject the idea of forming a coalition with the Labour party, with a staggering 93% opposed and only 6% in favor. However, 73% of members express willingness to form a coalition with Reform, while 25% oppose the idea.
Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, garners support from more than half of Tories (53%), although 45% hold an unfavorable view of him. Despite calls for a pact with Reform, Kemi Badenoch has consistently dismissed the notion, citing Farage’s past remarks about dismantling the Conservative party.
Shadow minister Andrew Rosindell has suggested that the Conservatives should collaborate with Reform UK to prevent another Labour government, noting commonalities in policies such as the European Court of Human Rights, human rights, and immigration. The ongoing Conservative Party conference in Manchester has been characterized by a somber atmosphere, with delegates commenting on the lackluster attendance of supporters and absence of usual protesters.
The survey by YouGov, conducted for Sky News between September 26 and October 2, involved 652 Conservative party members.
