Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, is facing a challenging time as she struggles to revive her party’s fortunes. According to a recent poll by Ipsos, her popularity has hit an all-time low with only 17% of the public having a favourable view towards her. This is a worrying trend for the Tories and a major setback for Badenoch.
The poll also revealed that Badenoch’s favourability rating is lower than that of her colleagues Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, with only 26% and 21% respectively. In comparison, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is the most popular politician in the country with a favourability rating of 31%. This is followed by Boris Johnson, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey, and Labour leader Keir Starmer with 25%, 23%, and 21% respectively.
Even more concerning for Badenoch is the fact that her rival Robert Jenrick, who she beat to the Tory leadership last year, has a similar favourability rating of just 16%. This is the same as Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who is a member of the opposition party. It is clear that Badenoch’s popularity is not only low within her own party but also among the general public.
The poll also highlighted the overall favourability of the Conservative Party, which stands at just 20%. This puts them behind other parties such as Reform, Greens, Lib Dems, and Labour. The Tories also have the highest unfavourability rating of 56%, making them the least popular party among the public. This is a worrying trend for the Conservatives, who are struggling to regain their footing after their losses in the 2024 election.
The results of the poll come after a YouGov survey earlier this week, which placed the Tories in fourth place behind Reform, Labour, and the Lib Dems. This is a significant blow for the Conservative Party, who have been in power for several years.
Gideon Skinner, senior director of UK Politics at Ipsos, commented on the findings, saying, “While Labour has seen a slight increase in favourability, most people still believe that the country is heading in the wrong direction and are critical of the prime minister and chancellor. In contrast, Nigel Farage and his party continue to enjoy high approval ratings among their supporters, even though they are more divisive among supporters of other parties.”
He further added, “The Conservatives, on the other hand, face a tough situation with Kemi Badenoch’s rating reaching its lowest level as the leader of the party. The overall favourability of the party also remains the lowest among all the parties polled. It is evident that the Conservatives are struggling to rebuild after their defeat in the 2024 election. However, it is not just the Tories who are facing challenges, as both the main parties are struggling with public disillusionment with the established political order. This could potentially lead to an appetite for alternative voices from both sides of the political spectrum.”
This latest poll has been a hammer blow for Kemi Badenoch, who has been facing criticism and backlash in recent weeks. She has been mocked for getting Wales and Scotland mixed up and has been referred to as ‘Kalamity Kemi’ by her opponents. However, it is important to remember that Badenoch is a strong and resilient leader who has overcome challenges in the past. She has the determination and drive to turn things around for her party and lead them to success.
In her response to the poll, Badenoch has emphasized the need for the Conservative Party to reconnect with the people and address the issues that matter to them. She has also acknowledged the need for change and has promised to work towards rebuilding the party’s image and regaining the trust of the people.
In conclusion, Kemi Badenoch may be facing a tough time as the leader of the Conservative Party, but she is not one to back down from a challenge. She has the support of her party and the determination to turn things around. With her strong leadership and vision, there is no doubt that she will lead the Tories to success in the future. As the saying goes, tough times don’t last, but tough leaders do.
