Combativeness of new Tory leader Badenoch could be a voter turn-off, say pollsters

Kemi Badenoch has been warned she needs to “avoid the perception she would cross the road to pick a fight”, as she faces the daunting task of trying to turn the Conservative Party around from its worst general election result in history.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

The new Tory leader comes across as “energetic and fresh-faced” with voters but pollsters have said she needs to avoid being “overly combative”.

“I think that is going to be the defining task of her leadership,” More in Common executive director Luke Tryl told The Independent. His comments came after Ms Badenoch was elected to succeed Rishi Sunak, winning the Tory leadership contest over Robert Jenrick.

She called for the party to unite behind her and “be honest” about the mistakes the Conservatives have made after more than 14 years in power. But, in a sign of the challenge she faces, Ms Badenoch made a gaffe in her first interview as Tory leader, telling the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that the Partygate scandal was “overblown” and the government should not have fined people for breaking lockdown rules.

The Independent also revealed Ms Badenoch had made a joke about rape on her personal Facebook page in 2008. It is a sign of the pitfalls of Ms Badenoch’s ability to make headlines, with the former business secretary often generating uncomfortable rows for her party.