James Cleverly is pick of Tory members to be party’s next leader – but Tom Tugendhat is better liked among the wider public, polling shows _ Hieuuk
James Cleverly is the most popular Tory leadership candidate among party members, a new poll has shown.
The shadow home secretary was backed by 26 per cent of the Conservatives‘ grassroots when they were asked to name their first choice to replace Rishi Sunak.
He came ahead of Priti Patel, who was supported by 20 per cent of members, and Kemi Badenoch, who was backed by 14 per cent.
Among other contenders, Tom Tugendhat secured the support of 11 per cent of members, Robert Jenrick 10 per cent, and Mel Stride 4 per cent.
The Techne UK poll, commissioned by Mr Cleverly’s campaign, surveyed 805 party members between 2-12 August.
But a separate YouGov poll for The Times showed that Mr Tugendhat was the most popular Tory leadership candidate among the wider public.
James Cleverly is the most popular Tory leadership candidate among party members, a new Techne UK poll has shown
But a separate YouGov poll for The Times showed that Tom Tugendhat was the most popular Tory leadership candidate among the wider public
Mr Cleverly and Mr Tugendhat are competing for the Tory leadership against Kemi Badenoch (top left), Robert Jenrick (top middle), Mel Stride (top right) and Priti Patel (bottom right)
The shadow security minister had a net favourability score of -12 when voters were asked how they felt about politicians ranging from ‘very favourable’ to ‘very unfavourable’.
This put Mr Tugendhat ahead of Mr Stride (-15), Mr Jenrick (-19), Mr Cleverly and Ms Badenoch (both -22), and Dame Priti (-52).
Mr Tugendhat was the only Tory leadership candidate with a higher rating than Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who had a net favourability of -14 in the survey carried out on 13-14 August.
The Conservatives’ deputy chairman Matt Vickers today resigned his role in order to support Mr Jenrick’s leadership campaign.
The Stockton West MP, who backed Mr Sunak in the two Tory leadership contests in 2022, said: ‘On Saturday I chaired the northern hustings of the leadership contest.
‘All the candidates were good, but Robert Jenrick was stand out. This process really matters – we have a mountain to climb and need a leader that can bring us back in one term.
‘Having heard him up close, I firmly believe that that’s Robert. He had the clearest diagnosis of why we lost, and set out the most compelling vision for how we change, rebuild and win again.
‘Of course, he is a strong communicator, but he crucially has the credibility we need to earn back the public’s trust.’
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