Conservatives Fall to Third in Latest Poll as Reform UK Gains Ground on Immigration Issue

The Conservatives Fall to Third in Latest Poll

The latest Techne tracker poll for The Independent reveals a significant shift in the UK's political landscape, with the Conservatives slipping into third place for the first time. This comes amidst growing questions over Kemi Badenoch's leadership and a strategic shift by Reform UK.

The poll, conducted this week, shows the Conservatives losing one point, dropping to 23%. Meanwhile, Reform UK remains steady at 24%, and Labour experiences a rare boost, gaining one point to reach 26%. The Lib Dems and the Green Party remain unchanged at 12% and 7%, respectively.

This decline in Conservative support coincides with Reform UK's planned rally in Ms. Badenoch's Essex North West constituency on Friday evening, marking the fifth anniversary of Brexit. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, sees this as the beginning of a downward spiral for the Conservatives, particularly in Wales where their support is already waning.

The poll also suggests that a significant portion of Conservative voters from the 2024 election have switched allegiance to Reform UK, with around 24% making the switch for the third consecutive week. This trend is particularly concerning for the Conservatives, as it indicates a potential erosion of their voter base.

Michela Morizzo, chief executive of Techne UK, describes the poll results as "very bad news" for Ms. Badenoch and the Conservatives. She highlights the emergence of three main political parties vying for power, with Labour experiencing some positive momentum while the Conservatives continue to struggle.

The poll further reveals a generational divide in party preferences, with the Conservatives performing better among voters aged 55 and above, while Reform UK enjoys stronger support among younger voters. This suggests a potential challenge for the Conservatives in attracting younger generations.

The findings come amidst internal criticism of Ms. Badenoch's leadership, particularly her reluctance to introduce new policies. This follows a lackluster performance in PMQs and controversy surrounding Dame Priti Patel's defense of high net migration levels during the previous Conservative government.

While Ms. Badenoch's spokesman attempted to distance the party from Dame Priti's comments, the incident further highlights the Conservatives' internal divisions and strategic challenges.

With Reform UK capitalizing on the issue of immigration and gaining ground in the polls, the Conservatives face an uphill battle to regain their footing and maintain their position as a leading political force in the UK.