Kemi Badenoch 3.webp
The Digest:

The UK's Conservative Party is deeply divided over the leadership of Kemi Badenoch. A new YouGov poll indicates that half of the party's members believe she should not lead the Tories into the next general election, following a period of poor poll ratings and a disastrous local election performance.

Key Points:
  • A YouGov poll of 652 Conservative members shows 50% oppose Badenoch leading the party into the next election.
  • This follows the Tories' worst local election result since 1995, with just 15% of the vote.
  • 37% of members believe she is doing a "bad job" as party leader.
  • The discontent is significant even among those who voted for her in the 2024 leadership contest.
  • Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and rival Robert Jenrick are named as potential successors.
  • Discussions about replacing her grew after the party's poll ratings dipped.
  • The next UK general election is scheduled for August 2029.
This internal rift exposes the challenges of maintaining party unity and public confidence, where a leader must constantly navigate the storm of political fortunes and member expectations.

Sources: The Cable