Poll suggests Kemi Badenoch is leading as the next leader of Conservatives

In the ongoing Conservative civil war, tensions escalated as leadership frontrunner Kemi Badenoch launched a scathing attack on Rishi Sunak during a shadow cabinet meeting. Badenoch criticized Sunak's decision to call an early election and his handling of the campaign, accusing him of causing trauma within the party and displaying signs of a public breakdown. Despite the expectation for her to maintain a safe and collegial approach, Badenoch's bold and unrestrained style has polarized opinions within the party, with some viewing her as a risky choice due to her potential to alienate voters. The infighting within the Conservative Party intensified as Suella Braverman and Kemi Badenoch engaged in a public spat, with Braverman dismissing her critics and accusing them of being in "meltdown." Meanwhile, former home secretary James Cleverly emphasized the need for party unity following leaks from the shadow cabinet and disputes over leadership positions. Badenoch's critique of Sunak's election strategy and her call for a thorough post-mortem of the party's defeat have further fueled divisions within the party. Amidst the leadership race to replace Rishi Sunak, new polling indicates that Kemi Badenoch holds a significant lead among Conservative members, with Suella Braverman and Tom Tugendhat following behind. Support for Braverman among Tory MPs is reportedly diminishing, while Badenoch's confrontational approach has garnered attention within the party. The polling data also reveals varying levels of support based on factors such as Brexit stance, social class, and age, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in the leadership contest. As the Conservative Party grapples with internal strife and strategic decisions, the future leadership direction remains uncertain. With competing factions vying for control and differing visions for the party's trajectory, the upcoming leadership selection process is poised to be a critical juncture in shaping the Conservatives' path forward. Amidst the backdrop of post-election reflections and calls for unity, the party faces challenges in reconciling divergent viewpoints and navigating the turbulent political landscape.