𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The Tories have leapfrogged Reform UK in the second poll this week in a boost for Kemi Badenoch. A new survey by More in Common puts the Conservatives in second place on 24%, up three points from the week before, after the party’s conference.

Labour, which enjoyed a bounce under Andy Burnham, is in the lead on 28%, down one point. Nigel Farage’s party is down three points to 21% after a difficult period amid rows over finances. It comes after a YouGov poll on Tuesday put the Tories just one point behind Labour on 23% and 24%, respectively.

The polling by More in Common also showed that Mrs Badenoch’s popularity has risen to an all-time high. The group’s UK director Luke Tryl said: “Kemi Badenoch has had a good conference.

“Our polling this week finds her approval rating is the highest it has been since she became leader, and the Conservatives are at their highest vote share since March 2025. On policy, their flagship inheritance tax policy commands public support, with nearly two-thirds of Britons supporting the exemption of family homes – although other policies on Natural England and the mansion tax are more divisive.

“And probably the most striking finding is that taking the fight to Reform plays well: when we show people a clip from Badenoch’s conference speech – criticising Reform on English identity and saying ‘we are not like them’ – her popularity rises, most dramatically among 2024 Reform voters themselves.

“But it’ll take more than a good conference season to turn the Tories’ fortunes. Even after this boost, an election held today would likely be no better than their historically low 2024 result. The challenge now is building on their momentum and rebuilding voters’ trust that the party is ready for government.”

Mrs Badenoch declared that a Tory poll bounce is “just the beginning” after Tuesday’s YouGov poll.