A new YouGov poll shows that most Conservative voters question Kemi Badenoch’s suitability as Prime Minister, raising doubts about her leadership prospects as she approaches 100 days in charge of the party.
The poll reveals that while 48% of those who voted Conservative in the last general election see Badenoch as a potential PM, only 26% believe she would perform well in the role. Among the general public, just 14% think she has the qualities needed to lead the country.
Badenoch, who has taken a hard stance on immigration, faces skepticism from opposition voters. The poll shows that 39% of Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Reform UK supporters see her as untrustworthy, while only 19% consider her trustworthy. Additionally, 39% of voters described her as unlikeable, compared to 24% who view her favorably.
Despite mixed perceptions, Badenoch maintains some backing from her party’s base. The poll found that 56% of 2024 Conservative voters approve of her leadership, while 17% rate her negatively.
The findings come at a challenging time for the Conservative Party, as a recent poll suggests the party has fallen to third place in voter preference behind Labour and Reform UK.
Badenoch, born in the UK to Nigerian parents, has advocated for stricter immigration policies, recently proposing that immigrants must live in the UK for at least 15 years before becoming eligible for a British passport.
“Britain is our home, it’s not a hotel,” she said. “It’s time to tell the truth on immigration and propose real plans. I want to reduce immigration and make living here actually mean something. I’m announcing that the Conservative Party is going to do things differently.”
