Half of Tory Members Want Kemi Badenoch Removed as Party Leader Ahead of Next General Election
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
A new YouGov poll has revealed a deepening crisis within the UK’s Conservative Party as half of Tory members say they do not want Kemi Badenoch to lead the party into the next general election.
The survey, conducted for Sky News between 26 September and 2 October, polled 652 Conservative members and found that 50 per cent of respondents believe Badenoch should be replaced, while 46 per cent want her to remain as leader. The result exposes growing divisions among Conservatives less than a year before the nation is expected to go to the polls.
Growing Discontent Within Conservative Ranks
According to Akahi News findings, dissatisfaction appears rooted in Badenoch’s handling of the party’s electoral strategy and its standing in recent opinion polls. Party insiders have described a “crisis of confidence” following months of poor public approval ratings and internal wrangling over policy direction.
When asked who should replace Badenoch, 46 per cent of Tory members favoured Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, signalling a possible leadership challenge ahead of the next campaign season.
Pressure to Unite with Reform UK
The YouGov poll also suggests that Conservative members are open to collaborating with the right-wing Reform UK party led by Nigel Farage.
While 48 per cent of respondents opposed a full merger, 64 per cent backed an electoral pact, where both parties would avoid competing in seats the other is more likely to win.
In an even more telling statistic, 73 per cent of members said they would welcome a coalition with Reform UK in a hung parliament, underscoring the mounting pressure on Badenoch to consider partnerships that could keep Labour from securing a sweeping victory.
Analysts Weigh In
Political observers told Akahi News that the findings could embolden internal critics and put Badenoch’s leadership under immediate scrutiny. Some analysts believe the poll signals that grassroots Conservatives may prioritise “electability” over “ideological loyalty” as the general election approaches.
With the next election expected in 2026, Badenoch faces a defining test — whether she can unite a fractured party and fend off a potential right-wing alliance that could reshape Britain’s political landscape.
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