The former UK PM has emerged as the number one candidate to replace the increasingly unpopular Liz Truss, a YouGov survey has revealed
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has now emerged as the Tories’ most popular potential replacement for the current head of government, Liz Truss, a new YouGov poll has shown. The survey, which was conducted on October 17-18, revealed that 32% of respondents would like Johnson to return as prime minister, despite a series of scandals and cabinet resignations that precipitated his eventual departure.
“Those who voted for Truss to take over are particularly keen on a Boris Johnson return if she left: 44% put him top of their list of potential successors,” the pollsters noted.
Rishi Sunak, who served in Johnson’s cabinet as chancellor, significantly lags his former boss in popularity: only 23% of 530 Tory respondents voiced support for him.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace came in third with 10%.
The survey comes as Truss fights for her political survival after unveiling a set of controversial economic policies. According to the poll, 55% of respondents believe that she should resign immediately. Even among those who voted for her during the summer Tory leadership election, 39% now want to see her go.
A separate YouGov poll carried out between October 14-16 and published on Tuesday shows Truss quickly losing popularity among Brits.