A majority of Conservative voters now want Boris Johnson to return as party leader, potentially replacing Kemi Badenoch, according to new polling that exposes deep dissatisfaction within Tory ranks.
Exclusive data commissioned by The Telegraph and conducted by Survation shows that two-thirds of Conservative supporters believe Mr Johnson, who resigned in 2022 amid scandal, would make a better leader than Badenoch.
The figures are sparking fresh speculation about a possible Johnson comeback, even as senior Tories insist there is “no appetite” in Parliament for another leadership shake-up. Among those who voted Conservative at the last general election, 60% prefer Johnson over the current leader. Nearly half (45%) said a new leader would make them more likely to vote Conservative again, compared to just 8% who said it would put them off.
Sliding Poll Numbers and Party Discontent
Kemi Badenoch’s leadership, which began after Rishi Sunak stepped down last November, initially brought a modest boost—putting the Conservatives briefly ahead of Labour at 29%. But that momentum has quickly evaporated. Current polls show the party polling as low as 16%, well below the 23.7% they secured at the last election.
Much of the blame is being pinned on the rise of Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, which has been siphoning off disillusioned Tory voters. The Conservatives lost 674 council seats in the latest local elections, many to Reform.
The polling also revealed that half of Reform UK voters from the last general election think Johnson would make a better Tory leader than Badenoch—fueling speculation that his return could halt the Conservative exodus.
Divided Party, Divided Public. While Johnson retains a loyal base among Tory voters, his standing with the general public remains more lukewarm.
Only 33% of all voters said he would make a better leader than Badenoch. Badenoch herself remains a divisive figure. Among 2019 Tory voters, 49% said they were satisfied with her performance, while 19% were dissatisfied. Overall, she holds a net negative rating, with 31% of voters disapproving of her leadership and only 27% approving—though many respondents remain undecided. Other potential leadership contenders—such as Robert Jenrick and James Cleverly—trail behind, with only 27% and 22% respectively of Tory voters viewing them as better options.
Leadership Jitters Behind Closed Doors
Despite Johnson’s popularity among the base, senior Conservative MPs are cautioning against a leadership change, warning that it would risk further damaging the party’s credibility.
“Changing leader again would be the worst possible step in trying to convince voters we’re a serious party,” one senior source told New Daily Prime. “We all need to be focused on the real goal—kicking out this terrible Labour government that is making everything worse.”
The challenge for Badenoch is mounting. With Sir Keir Starmer branding the Conservatives a “dead party walking” and Farage now seen as Labour’s chief rival by some, Badenoch must prove she can stop the bleeding—or risk being the latest Tory leader consumed by party turmoil.
From Partygate to Potential Return
Boris Johnson’s fall from power was steep and public. He resigned on July 7, 2022, following the Partygate scandal, in which he and Downing Street staff were found to have breached COVID-19 restrictions. Johnson was fined and later accused of misleading Parliament, with a Commons committee recommending a 90-day suspension.
Now, despite the scandalous exit, his charisma and campaigning prowess remain unmatched among the Tory faithful. Whether that is enough for a dramatic return—or simply a nostalgic yearning for better days—remains to be seen. As internal divisions deepen and polling collapses, the Conservative Party faces a crossroads: stick with Badenoch, or bet on Boris—again.
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