Kemi Badenoch is the future of the Tory party – no one else survives.
The Telegraph’s exclusive poll raises the prospect of the Business Secretary leading the Right’s battle for control of the Tories.
Kemi Badenoch will be the future of the Conservative Party by default as the only “big beast” left standing after the election, an exclusive poll for The Telegraph suggests.
Not only most of the Cabinet – including Rishi Sunak, Jeremy Hunt and James Cleverly – would be wiped out under a Labour mega-majority, but also leadership contenders including Penny Mordaunt and Suella Braverman.
Among others said to be contemplating leadership bids, only Tom Tugendhat is predicted to keep his seat, raising the possibility of a Badenoch-Tugendhat run-off as the Right of the party fights the centrist One Nation Tories for control.
The poll makes for terrifying reading for the Conservatives, who are currently predicted to retain just 53 seats, making them the second-biggest party in front of the Lib Dems on 50. Labour is predicted to take 516 seats, giving Sir Keir Starmer a record-breaking peacetime majority of 382. DT.
Blogger: it is now over for the Tory 'wets'; the 'Lib Dem Tories;' the 'One Nation Tories' - they are dead and buried for all time.
Even if Reform UK does not get a single seat - the power now lies with Nigel Farage.
All he will have to do is say in two sentences to the new Tory leader. "If you do not listen to us, we shall destroy you again in 2029 - if you do not put 'True Blue Tories' or Reform UK unchallenged into every seat - we shall stand in that seat.
If you want a real chance of winning after Labour's fiasco, we shall unite with you - but we will have the final word on every candidate."
A workable recovery formula for the centre right in the UK.
