Liz Truss scored 22 points. lead over Rishi Sunak in in race become next Tory leader and prime ministeraccording to exclusive survey of party members for in Observer.
Less than three weeks before the September 2 deadline for voting, Opinium poll of 570 Conservative members put foreign secretary on 61% and former chancellor on 39%.
farms lead however less than in some other recent polls of the Tory electorate, perhaps suggesting that Sunak may have closed the gap in last days.
She came under increasing pressure over her refusal back what she describes as “handouts” help people with his electricity bills and was heavily criticized for U-turn over salary increase for public sector workers outside London and South East of England.
Detailed interrogation of Opinium also reveals a striking flaw of enthusiasm for any candidate, when participants are asked if they prefer one of their Boris Johnson run in party and country.
When offered a choice of Johnson is still in No. 10, or Truss takes over about 63% of Tory members said they would prefer Johnson to be motionless in accusation against 22% who wanted Farm. Even more strikingly, 68% said they would rather have Johnson still on than see Sunak replace him. who was preferred just 19%.
Interview found that’s almost three in ten of Tory electorate (29%) already voted. About 47% said they would definitely vote. for the candidate they chose for. Only 19% said they have yet to up their mind.
Opinium said that while these discoveries still mean it was possible for Sunak pull off stunning comeback and enter at number 10, for this he will have to win over almost all undecided and convert a significant chunk of Farm swings.
farms support especially strong among senior members of the conservatives, while Sunak has far higher among the younger ones. Among over-65s Farm 40 points ahead when she’s eight points behind Sunak is among the under 50s.
Opinium asked the participants what main Unmarried reason was that they supported one of two candidates. For Sunak the most quoted reason was that he would manage better economy (22%), and 10% consider him the most competent or smart.
BUT main reason mentioned people who supported the farm did not like it of Sunak (14%). The same number (14%) said that foreign secretary was more honest and trustworthy, and 10% chose fact that she remained loyal to Johnson and did not call on him to retire. About 2% of Tory members quoted race or nationality as reason for supporting Truss, not Sunak.
Chris Curtis of Opinium said that despite the apparent growing nostalgia among Tory members for Johnson – and a less than enthusiastic response to of candidates seeking to replace him are now hard see how farm can fail become next prime minister.
“From the moment we knew final two candidates, it was clear that Trass had all the momentum and our latest survey sets out just how big her lead among party members,” he said.
“With many members having already returned their ballots, now it is unlikely that Truss won’t prime minister in September.
“His clear what is the biggest sunak problem it is trust. Although some members respect his economic arguments, this is not enough to overcome view among the participants that he is not honest or trustworthy enough for top position, especially after he called for Johnson is leaving.
Today’s poll is first Opinium, taken exclusively among party members who finally decide next Prime Minister, since MPs reduced the number of candidates down up to two. AT final result will be announced on September 5th.
