Boris Johnson leads race to be next Prime Minister among Tory members
1 min read
Boris Johnson is leading the race to succeed Theresa May, a new poll of Conservative party members has revealed.
Thirty-nine per cent of party members would give the former Foreign Secretary their first preference vote in Conservative leadership battle, according to a poll by YouGov for the Times.
His nearest rival, former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, has just 13% support.
The poll showed that in a head-to-head contest, Mr Johnson leads Mr Raab 59% to 41%.
Meanwhile, Environment Secretary Michael Gove and Home Secretary Sajid Javid would get just 9% of first preferences.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock languished on 1% support, behind Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt and Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom (both 5%) as well as International Development Secretary Rory Stewart (4%).
Mr Johnson announced on Thursday that he would put his name forward when Mrs May stands down.
However, he remains a highly divisive figure even among his own party's members.
While 49% of Conservative Leave voters would back Mr Johnson, just 10% of its Remain voters would, according to the poll.
Furthermore, 31% thought he would be a "poor" leader.
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