[1andrew1]

Interesting survey results of what a new Conservative leader faces

Brexit and Partygate are the key legacies of the Tories’ 14 years in power, according to a new poll.

Research by Savanta found voters are mostly likely to remember the Conservatives for their most disastrous and divisive acts, rather than any positive record in Government. Brexit (43%) and the scandal of lockdown-breaking gatherings in Downing Street (41%) top the list, followed by Boris Johnson's bungling response to the pandemic (33%).

Voters also said they would remember Liz Truss’s disastrous mini-Budget (31%) and the Rwanda deportation scheme (27%), which has now been ditched by Keir Starmer. Only 8% of people said the party would be remembered for more positive things such as London 2012 Olympics and legalising same-sex marriage.

It comes as the Tories battle to rebuild the party from the wreckage after suffering the worst General Election defeat in history. A bitter leadership contest looms, with eight top Tories tipped to throw their hats in the ring, including ex-Home Secretary James Cleverly and former Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch.

Tees Valley Mayor Lord Ben Houchen called on ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman to act "with civility" after she warned the party risks becoming "centrist cranks".

Chris Hopkins, Political Research Director at Savanta, said: “The next leader of the Conservative Party - and likely several after - will have to contend with the public's perception of the Conservatives' time in office for the last 14 years.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknew...dbf065d4&ei=23