A new poll has shown that half of Conservative Party members in the United Kingdom do not want Kemi Badenoch to lead them into the next general election, raising fresh doubts over her political future.
The YouGov survey, conducted between September 26 and October 2, 2025, revealed that 50 percent of party members want her replaced, while 46 percent still support her. Badenoch, who became the first Black woman to lead the UK Conservatives in 2024, has faced mounting criticism over the party’s poor poll ratings and electoral defeats.
The survey also found that Robert Jenrick, a former immigration minister and Badenoch’s closest rival in last year’s leadership race, is now the most favored to succeed her.
He secured 37 percent support, compared to 22 percent for former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and 20 percent for James Cleverly.
Senior Tory figures have reportedly given Badenoch until May 2026 to revive the party’s fortunes or risk a leadership challenge. While some party donors are urging patience, others argue that a change at the top is necessary before the next general election.
Born in Wimbledon to Nigerian parents and raised partly in Lagos, Badenoch remains a highly respected figure among Africans in the diaspora. Her story continues to inspire many, even as her leadership faces intense scrutiny at home.
For now, Badenoch has promised to focus on economic reforms and party unity, but the poll results underline the growing pressure on her to deliver quick results before the next election.


