Boris Johnson Leads Polls to Win Back Voters Over Rishi Sunak
Former PM Preferred Choice to Replace Sunak
A recent poll of 13,534 Conservative voters indicates that Boris Johnson is poised to regain support from those lost under Rishi Sunak’s leadership. Emerging as the top contender among ten senior Tories, including Lord Cameron, Suella Braverman, and Kemi Badenoch, Johnson remains the favored candidate to succeed Sunak.
Johnson’s Popularity Surpasses Sunak
The survey revealed that over half of 2019 Conservative voters intending to switch parties would lean back towards supporting Boris Johnson. In contrast, only 39% showed a preference for current leader Rishi Sunak over Labour’s Keir Starmer.
Challenges Faced by Sunak
After facing setbacks with a double loss in recent by-elections and the nation entering a technical recession, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under growing pressure from within his party to reassess his strategies and endorse more traditional conservative values, such as lower taxation and stricter immigration policies.
Public Perception of Conservative Figures
The poll also explored perceptions of other prominent Conservative figures. Suella Braverman and Penny Mordaunt garnered 23% each compared to Sir Keir, while Priti Patel received 22% and Kemi Badenoch 19%.
Impact of Leadership Change
A significant portion of former Conservative voters expressed openness to supporting the party again if Sunak were no longer at the helm. Moreover, there is a consensus that embracing “traditional Conservative values” could enhance the party’s electoral prospects.
Current Political Landscape
As per the poll results, Labour currently maintains a 22-point lead over the Tories, with Reform at 13% and the Liberal Democrats at 10%. Whitestone Insight, the polling agency, emphasized that replacing Sunak could alter the party’s fate significantly.
FAQs
Why is Boris Johnson considered the preferred choice to replace Rishi Sunak?
Boris Johnson’s popularity among Conservative voters, as revealed by the poll, positions him as the leading candidate to succeed Rishi Sunak.
What challenges is Rishi Sunak facing within his party?
Rishi Sunak is facing internal calls to pivot towards more traditional conservative values like lower taxation and stricter immigration policies.
How do other Conservative figures fare in comparison to Sir Keir?
Suella Braverman and Penny Mordaunt received 23% each, while Priti Patel polled at 22% and Kemi Badenoch at 19% in the survey.
What could a change in leadership mean for the Conservative Party?
Replacing Rishi Sunak, as suggested by the poll results, could have a significant impact on the Conservative Party’s electoral outcomes.
What is the current lead of Labour over the Tories according to the poll?
Labour presently holds a 22-point lead over the Conservatives, with Reform at 13% and the Liberal Democrats at 10%.
