Tom Tugendhat Leads in Public Favor as Tory Leadership Race Heats Up

Poll unveils public's favorite candidate for Tory leadership

The survey was released as the window for leadership nominations begins on Wednesday at 7pm, with the announcement of who will succeed Rishi Sunak as the Conservative leader scheduled for November 2.

Political correspondent @AmroJournoReports

Wednesday, July 24, 2024, 2:

According to a recent Savanta survey reported by Sky News, Tom Tugendhat is the frontrunner in public favor for the leadership position.

The ex-security chief, a candidate for leadership following Boris Johnson's period in office, holds a net favorability of -3. This contrasts with Priti Patel, the previous home secretary, who received the lowest public favorability score at -28.

Mr. Tugendhat is well-respected among the centrist One Nation faction of Conservative MPs.

James Cleverly, the previous home secretary who announced his candidacy on Tuesday, trails slightly behind Mr. Tugendhat with a net favorability rating of -9.

Kemi Badenoch, the opposition's housing secretary and ex-business secretary, considered a leading figure on the right, received a score of -12. Meanwhile, Suella Braverman, the previous home secretary, was rated -23 by the public.

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The survey is released as the process to select a new leader for the Conservative Party begins on Wednesday at 7 pm, with the announcement of who will succeed Rishi Sunak set for November 2.

The party announced that the ex-prime minister, who guided the Conservatives to an unprecedented loss on July 4, will continue as interim leader until then.

Over the next few days, additional candidates are anticipated to officially announce their intention to run for leadership. They must enter the race by Monday, with the deadline for nominations set at 2:30 PM.

In a piece for The Daily Telegraph, Mr. Cleverly, regarded among moderate Conservatives as a potential unifying figure, expressed that the party must "reinforce its image as the one that, when in power, fosters economic growth and assists individuals in reaching their ambitions, dreams, and goals."

The ex-chairman of the Conservative Party, aged 54, called for cohesion after the party's electoral defeat, stating: "It is crucial that we regain belief in the fact that our fundamental values resonate with the people of Britain and that we propose a vision of unity, safety, and prosperity."

It's essential to put an end to the unnecessary internal conflicts and be prepared to take action when the next opportunity arises.

"Commitment, self-control, and concentration are required for this task."

Mr. Cleverly's remarks followed Ms. Braverman's warning that the Conservatives could be seen as "centrist cranks" should they shift toward the political center.

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She contended that the Conservatives should seek a compromise with Reform and embrace its leader Nigel Farage as part of the party after the devastating electoral defeat that led to a sweeping victory for Labour.

Reports indicate that Ms. Braverman's campaign has experienced a slowdown following the departure of key supporters such as Sir John Hayes and Danny Kruger, who have since thrown their support behind former immigration minister Robert Jenrick.

Mr. Jenrick, Ms. Braverman, and Ms. Patel are anticipated to vie for the support of the conservative electorate.

Mel Stride, the opposition's secretary for work and pensions, indicated to Kay Burley on Sky News that he likely might enter the contest to succeed Mr. Sunak, emphasizing the significance of maintaining a robust Conservative Party for the nation's benefit.

Mr. Jenrick and Mr. Stridge did not appear in Savanta's poll tracker since they did not participate in the previous leadership contest.

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Chris Hopkins, who directs political research at Savanta, declared to Sky News that the leadership race was now fully competitive.

"He said, 'Tom Tugendhat, the frontrunner in our poll among the general public and Conservative voters for the party leadership, is probably the one who will be most pleased with our results.'"

"James Cleverley, recently declaring his candidacy, is quickly catching up. The competition is underway."

Candidates must secure the support of at least 10 Members of Parliament, including a proposer and a seconder, along with eight additional nominations, to qualify for inclusion on the ballot.

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Conservative MPs will subsequently reduce the field to four contenders, each of whom will present their arguments to party members at the Conservative conference this fall.

The group of four contenders will be narrowed down to two finalists, from which party members will select the winner.

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