The poll of 4,434 people, conducted between July 12 and July 14, found that the top three qualities voters want to see in a new prime minister are someone who is honest (56 percent), competent (48 percent) and “trustworthy to make the big decisions” (40 percent). The fourth most frequently chosen characteristic is someone who is “realistic about what can be achieved,” which was chosen by 37 percent of voters.
The attribute wish lists selected by Conservative Party voters and those who supported other parties in 2019 were strikingly similar, with both groups prioritizing the same characteristics.
Among all voters, the most popular policy priority was “turning the economy around”, with tackling the backlog of the NHS and restoring trust and integrity in public life coming second and third respectively. Tax cuts for ordinary people were the fourth priority chosen by 38 per cent of voters overall and 40 per cent of Conservative voters.
The survey also highlighted how Conservative voters are more likely to believe that transgender rights should remain as they are, rather than be expanded, and that the UK should leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Ms Mordaunt has been accused of failing to stand up for women in the trans rights debate – something she denies – and Ms Truss says she is ready to walk out of the convention.
About 29 percent of 1,407 voters who had heard of Mr. Tugendhat said he would make a good prime minister, compared with 21 percent of 1,229 voters who had heard of Ms. Badenoch.
A spokesman for Tom Tugendhat’s campaign said: “It is clear that there are now only two candidates who can beat Labor at the next election.
“Tom has just started introducing himself to the country. Three days ago he was almost a stranger.
“People see it and they like it. It became clear last night that the only way for him is up.”
JL Partners said: “Tom Tugendhat topped the table in 70 of the current CON-held constituencies and was in the top three in almost all the others, well ahead of Truss and Badenoch.”
James Johnson: Sunak popular with key conservative voter in 2019
The Conservatives have a narrow path to victory in two years.
Although toned down in the past few months, much of the public anger has been directed at Boris Johnson himself rather than the wider party. Questions remain about the party’s core competence, the extent of its unity and its intentions. But with public support faltering for Starmer, there is a path for their future leader to follow.
Our poll today seeks to answer what that might be.
Westminster is abuzz with talk of tax cuts, transgender issues and the ECHR. But the public has three very clear questions they will be waiting for the next leader to answer. Can they turn the economy around? Can they tackle the NHS backlog? And can they restore confidence in our politics?
No one expects these challenges to be fully resolved. They’ve seen enough disappointment to know it won’t happen. But they will want someone with the intention and power to fulfill them.
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