Latest poll shows public back Boris and Rishi
THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER 2022
Latest poll shows public back possible leadership rivals Boris and Rishi as best Tory communicators, leaving other contenders behind.
A poll published today by The Story Network, a new communications firm, shows that UK voters believe former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his former Chancellor Rishi Sunak are far and away the best communicators in The Conservative ranks. The poll was carried out by the polling firm Kantar.
With both candidates considering whether to throw their names into the ring for the upcoming leadership contest, the poll is likely to be viewed with interest by Tory MPs and party members.
From a list of potential senior Tory politicians, the public find Johnson (22%) and Sunak (21%) to be neck-and neck out in front. The third placed MP is new Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, who polled only 8%.
Other possible leadership candidates scored poorly with Penny Mordaunt (6%), Ben Wallace (4%), Sajid Javid (3%), Suella Braverman (2%) and Kemi Badenoch (1%) trailing far behind the two frontrunners.
Only 4% of the public believe that Prime Minister Liz Truss is the best communicator in Conservative ranks.
The polling shows that Johnson is more clearly backed by male voters (25% male to 20% female) while Rishi Sunak is more popular as a communicator with women (17% to 26%).
1,276 people aged 18 and above were interviewed via an online poll carried out by Kantar on behalf of The Story Network between 18th and 20th October 2022.
Alex Bigham, co-founder of The Story Network, a new communications organisation being launched this autumn, said:
“This shows clearly that there are really only two Tory politicians who have made any impact with voters and most of the other possible leadership candidates are trailing in their wake.
“Tory MPs will need to think seriously about which of potential leadership candidates is best able to set out a convincing story to the public about the future direction of their party if they are to have any chance of restoring its shattered brand.”
ENDS
For more info call:
Ed Owen on 07774759653
Alex Bigham on 07830195812