Almost half of Conservative Party members believe Kemi Badenoch should resign before the next general election according to a new YouGov poll, exposing growing unrest within Tory ranks.

The October 6 survey showed that 50 per cent of members think Badenoch should not remain as leader of the Conservatives going into the 2029 election, while 46 per cent believe she should. The results reveal the party is still split over its future and leadership after its 2024 defeat.

Badenoch, 45, made monumental history last year, becoming the first Black woman to lead a major UK political party, taking over after the Conservatives were reduced to 121 seats. But her leadership has faced turmoil, weak polling, and criticism that she prioritises culture-war issues over key concerns like the economy and cost of living.

Although Badenoch still holds the support of some loyal party members, the findings suggest her influence is growing dull. YouGov reported that while 61 per cent of members think Badenoch is doing well as leader, 37 per cent think otherwise. About 29 per cent of members hold a negative perception of her, with 70 per cent maintaining a generally positive opinion of her. YouGov also revealed that there had been a shift of opinion among those who once supported Badenoch, saying:

“Even among those who voted for her to be party leader last year, 30 per cent believe Badenoch should be replaced before the next general election”.

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The poll does, however, mention the increasing popularity of Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary and Badenoch’s main rival in last year’s race to leadership. Jenrick was revealed to be the top choice to replace her, favoured by 37 per cent of members. 22 per cent of members also voted to see the return of former prime minister Boris Johnson, while 20 per cent proposed the leadership of shadow housing secretary James Cleverly.

The results come at a sensitive time for Badenoch, with the Conservatives having faced multiple by-election and local losses in 2025, and national polls still placing them substantially behind Labour. Another YouGov forecast revealed the Conservatives could win a mere 45 seats if an election were held today, their lowest number of seats ever, with just 11 per cent of the public believing the party are ready to lead again.

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Some have defended Badenoch’s leadership as principled and vital, with Badenoch’s allies dismissing the poll as “unrepresentative,” saying she remains focused on rebuilding trust and rebuilding the party. Still, unrest remains rife within the party, with nearly half of members (49 per cent) thinking Badenoch will be removed before the election, as opposed to the 47 per cent who expect her to last until 2029. Further uncertainty arises as multiple members express support for a merger with the rising right-wing party Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, suggesting a shift to the right among grassroots Conservatives.