Kemi Badenoch Leads Polls in Conservative Leadership Race

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen urges swift resolution to avoid public disillusionment

Badenoch has 25.83% support among grassroots Tories, making her the clear frontrunner.
Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat follow in second and third place respectively.
Houchen warns that a prolonged leadership contest could harm the party's public image.
No candidates have officially declared their intention to run for leadership yet.
Conservative Home poll shows significant undecided voters, indicating a potentially open race.