The survey of 4,434 people, conducted between July 12 and 14, found that the three main attributes voters wanted to see in a new prime minister were someone who was truthful (56%), competent (48%), and “confident.” to make the big decisions ”(40 percent). The fourth most chosen feature was someone who is “realistic about what can be achieved,” who was selected by 37 percent of voters.
The wish lists of attributes selected by Conservative voters and those that supported other parties in 2019 were surprisingly similar, with both groups prioritizing the same characteristics.
Among all voters, the most popular political priority was to “turn the economy around”, addressing the NHS lag and restoring confidence and integrity in public life by finishing second and third, respectively. Tax cuts for ordinary people were the fourth priority, as they were selected by 38% of voters in general and 40% of Conservatives.
The poll also highlighted how Conservative voters were more likely to believe that the rights of transgender people should remain as they are rather than expand, and that the UK should abandon the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Ms Mordaunt has been accused of not defending women in the trans rights debate, which she denies, and Ms Truss says she is ready to leave the convention.
29 per cent of the 1,407 voters who had heard of Mr Tugendhat said he would be a good prime minister, compared to 21 per cent of the 1,229 voters who had heard of Mrs Badenoch.
A spokesman for Tom Tugendhat’s campaign said: “It is clear that now there are only two candidates who can beat Labor in the next election.
“Tom just started showing up in the country. Three days ago, he was basically unknown.
“People see him and like him. Last night he made it clear that the only way for him is to go up.”
JL Partners said: “Tom Tugendhat topped the table in 70 of CON’s current constituencies, and was among the top three in almost every other, well ahead of Truss and Badenoch.”
James Johnson: Sunak is popular among the top Conservative voter of 2019
The Conservatives have a narrow path to victory in two years.
Although it has weakened in recent months, much of the public outrage has been directed at Boris Johnson himself rather than the party in general. Questions remain about the basic competence of the party, the scope of its unity and its intentions. But with public support for Starmer unstable, there is a way forward for his future leader.
Our survey today wants to answer what it can be.
Westminster is boiling over with talk of tax cuts, trans issues and the ECHR. But the public has three very clear questions that they expect the next leader to answer. Can they turn the economy around? Can they address the NHS backlog? And can they regain confidence in our policy?
No one expects these challenges to be completely resolved. They have seen enough disappointment to know that this will not happen. But they will want someone with the intention and strength to deliver.