Kemi Badenoch Starts Conservative Leader Tenure

Kemi Badenoch's leadership of the UK Conservative Party has begun with disappointing approval ratings, registering a net rating of -5%, making her less popular than predecessors Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson at the onset of their leadership tenures. Only Liz Truss had a worse approval at -9%. The Opinium poll indicates a divided electorate, with 20% approving of her leadership and 25% disapproving; however, 46% of those who voted Conservative in the last election expressed approval. In comparison, Labour leader Keir Starmer has a lower approval rating of -24%, yet he is perceived as the more favorable prime minister by a 12-point margin. Interestingly, Badenoch is seen as brave and principled, as her net score for bravery is +8, contrasting starkly with Starmer's -19. Additionally, recent political dynamics, including Donald Trump's election, have further polarized public opinion in the UK.