Conservative Party Leadership Race: ‘None Of The Above’ Leads Polls
The Conservative Party finds itself in a state of uncertainty as the race to replace Rishi Sunak as leader is plagued by lackluster polling numbers for the front-runners. According to the latest figures released by Opinium Research, the six main contenders are struggling to gain significant support, with ‘None Of The Above’ emerging as the surprising leader in the polls.
Public Uncertainty and Lackluster Support for Front-Runners
The survey conducted by Opinium Research has revealed that a significant portion of the electorate remains undecided about who should lead the Conservative Party in the upcoming leadership race. Approximately 49% of those surveyed, including both a national sample and 2024 Tory voting cohort, expressed uncertainty about their preferred candidate.
Among the front-runners, Home Secretary Priti Patel has managed to edge ahead with a modest 7-9% of public approval. However, the rest of the candidates are struggling to gain traction, with Tom Tugdenhat and James Cleverly polling at 6%, and Kemi Badenoch at 5%. Meanwhile, Mel Stride and Robert Jenrick are lagging behind, garnering only 2-3% of support from respondents.
Despite the efforts of the main contenders, all candidates face the embarrassment of being overshadowed by the ‘None Of The Above’ option, which has emerged as the clear winner in the polls.
‘None Of The Above’ Emerges as Unexpected Front-Runner
Surprisingly, a significant 23% of respondents indicated that they would not choose any of the current candidates in the leadership race, opting instead for the ‘None Of The Above’ option. Even among Conservative voters, only Priti Patel has managed to match the support for ‘None Of The Above’, tying at 9% approval. This trend suggests a growing disillusionment with the current field of candidates and a desire for alternative leadership options.
While Patel may have a slight advantage in the early stages of the race, her lead is far from convincing, especially considering the significant support for the ‘None Of The Above’ option among the electorate.
Challenges for Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer
Following his disappointing performance in the General Election, Rishi Sunak continues to face challenges in gaining public approval. With an approval rating of -30%, Sunak remains unpopular among the general public, indicating a lack of confidence in his leadership abilities.
On the other side of the political spectrum, Labour leader Keir Starmer has also seen a decline in his approval ratings. Despite a brief surge to +19 in July, Starmer now holds a net score of -7%, reflecting a decrease in public support. This shift in public perception comes at a time when the electorate has largely endorsed the government’s response to recent riots and disorder, with a split of 43% approval to 31% disapproval.
In conclusion, the Conservative Party leadership race is off to a rocky start, with ‘None Of The Above’ emerging as the unexpected front-runner in the polls. As the candidates continue to vie for support, the uncertainly and lackluster polling numbers highlight the challenges facing the party in selecting a new leader. Additionally, the negative approval ratings for Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer underscore the shifting dynamics of British politics and the challenges faced by both major parties in securing public support.
