By Atoyebi Nike
About half of Conservative Party members in the United Kingdom have voted against Kemi Badenoch leading them into the next election, according to a new YouGov poll reported by Sky News.
The survey found that 50% of members say Badenoch should not lead the Tories into the election, compared with 46% who support her. This leaves Robert Jenrick who lost to Badenoch a year ago as the members’ preferred leader.
The poll of 652 Conservative members, conducted between September 26 and October 2, shows party members are divided over Badenoch’s future: 49% believe she will be out before the election, while 47% think she will remain in post.
When asked who they would prefer as party leader, 46% chose Jenrick, compared with 39% for Badenoch. Eleven percent said neither, while 4% were undecided.
Despite the split, Badenoch still enjoys a 70% favourable rating among members, though Jenrick edges ahead with 73%.
The poll also found that 64% of members support an electoral pact with Reform UK to avoid competing in target seats a position Badenoch has rejected.
