New research has revealed what the public think of the Conservative leadership candidates.
Focus groups conducted by think-tank More in Common have looked at the strengths and weaknesses of each of the main candidates, which include Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat.
The ten focus groups were convened across English constituencies in July and August, with participants coming from a mix of demographic backgrounds.
Tory leadership hopefuls have in recent days traded blows over immigration, with Robert Jenrick’s key pledge to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) dismissed as an attempt to provide “easy answers” by his rival Ms Badenoch.
Mr Cleverly, the shadow home secretary, has suggested that promising to leave the ECHR was offering “soundbites and quick fixes” rather than working to resolve a complex issue.
Mr Jenrick believes the UK must leave the ECHR, and the Strasbourg court which rules on it, to make it easier to remove people who arrive in small boats across the English Channel.
He also wants an end to mass legal migration, with a binding cap to bring it down to the tens of thousands “or less”.
But Mrs Badenoch, the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader, said: “People who are throwing out numbers, saying we’ll leave the ECHR and so on, are giving you easy answers. That’s how we got in this mess in the first place.”
Mr Jenrick, who quit Mr Sunak’s government after pushing for tougher measures over the Rwanda asylum scheme, is seen as Mrs Badenoch’s closest rival for the job.
But on the overall strengths and weaknesses of the main Tory candidates, here are the results found by More in Common.
1. Who will be the next Tory leader in Westminster?
More in Common asked focus groups for their thoughts on the Tory leadership candidates. Photo: freelance
2. Kemi Badenoch strengths
Focus groups said Ms Badenoch offered something new and different. For this reason alone, many felt that they’d be willing to give her a hearing and crucially wanted to know more about her. Ms Badenoch also passed the honesty test, people felt that she wouldn’t sugar coat issues, and saw her as direct, believing she would be honest with voters. Voters also liked her more modest background and thought she presented herself as being down to earth. Photo: Carl Court
3. James Cleverly strengths
James Cleverley’s campaign launch video rooted in his background growing up in Lewisham impressed across the board, with voters liking that he didn’t come from a traditional Tory background. Participants across groups found him friendly, plain speaking and approachable. They also felt that he ‘got it’ and was someone who understood every day concerns, especially in contrast with Rishi Sunak. His military background also went down well, and voters saw him as a unifying figure. Photo: Joe Giddens
4. Robert Jenrick strengths
Robert Jenrick was especially popular with Reform voters, who agreed with his ideas even if they had concerns he wasn't the right messenger. The most divisive candidate, voters who liked Mr Jenrick thought he identified the important issues, specifically on immigration. He was also considered to be strong. Photo: Jacob King