Nigel Farage is backed by Britons over the Tory leadership candidates on who would make a good prime minister, new polling shows.

The survey by Ipsos found 24% said the Reform UK leader has what it takes to be a good PM.

This compares to 15% for shadow home secretary James Cleverly, 12% for shadow security minister Tom Tugendhat, 11% for shadow housing secretary Kemi Badnoch and 10% for former immigration minister Robert Jenrick.

However, the poll also found that 62% of respondents disagreed that Brexiteer Mr Farage would make a good prime minister.

The number disagreeing stood at 47% for Mr Jenrick, 46% for Mr Cleverly, 45% Ms Badenoch and 37% for Mr Tugendhat.

The findings come as the Tory conference is underway where the four leadership hopefuls are vying for support from members and MPs.

The candidates will all have an opportunity to address the gathering in Birmingham on Wednesday.

MPs will pick the final two candidates on October 10 who members will choose between, with Rishi Sunak‘s successor declared on November 2.

Mr Farage yesterday criticised Mr Jenrick and Ms Badenoch as he broke his silence on the leadership race.

Mr Farage wrote on X: “Kemi Badenoch has spent weeks positioning herself as tough on immigration.

“But in 2018 she campaigned in Parliament to increase legal migration, and was the biggest champion for students bringing in dependents.

“I don’t believe a word that she says on anything.

“Formerly a man that believed in nothing, Robert Jenrick now pitches himself as the great hardliner.

“This is almost certainly done for political gain and not out of conviction. He will divide the party. I doubt that Jenrick will last long if he wins.”