Kemi Badenoch’s approval rating surpasses Nigel Farage
Kemi Badenoch’s approval rating has surpassed that of Nigel Farage for the first time in over a year, with new polling from More in Common revealing a net favourability rating of -11 for the Conservative leader compared to -13 for the Reform chief, reports BritPanorama.
According to the polling data, half of respondents approved of Badenoch’s handling of the recent defection of Robert Jenrick from the Conservative Party, while only 12% expressed disapproval of her decision to dismiss him proactively. Among Conservative voters, support for the leader’s actions is notably strong, with over 80% backing her decision to expel Jenrick.
In terms of representation among right-leaning voters, 35% believe that Reform best represents their views, compared to 29% for the Conservatives. This shift indicates a competitive landscape within the right-wing sphere, with significant implications for both parties as they approach upcoming electoral battles.
Even among voters for 2024, a third currently perceive Farage’s party as the true embodiment of the right, illustrating a potential challenge for Badenoch as she endeavours to solidify her leadership position. Last week, Badenoch criticized Reform, asserting that any electoral pact between the parties is off the table due to what she described as a party filled with “liars” and “out of work” politicians.
The Conservative leader ruled out any possibility of a collaborative effort to unite the right after Robert Jenrick’s defection to Farage’s party, asserting instead that she considers Reform to be “doing my Spring cleaning for me.”
Visiting Scotland, Badenoch accused Jenrick of being deceptive, stating, “you can’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth.” She further questioned the efficacy of negotiating with those who have repeatedly disseminated untruths, asserting that Reform’s actions applaud her own party’s integrity and unity.
In her own words, “Reform has been taking a lot of people who could not find work elsewhere. The problems are going, we are even more united than we were, because we’re a stronger team.”
The dynamics within the Conservative Party and its positioning against Reform reflect broader trends in UK politics, particularly as both parties seek to appeal to a shifting electorate amidst evolving political sentiments.
The results of this polling underline not only Badenoch’s rising stature but also indicate a potentially fragmented voter base on the right that could influence future elections.
