Over half (54%) say Boris Johnson should not be able to return to frontline politics following his departure today (6 September), according to a new poll from Savanta ComRes.
A similar proportion (54%) say Boris Johnson is no longer an asset to the Conservative Party, although 60% of Conservative voters say he is still an asset to the party.
On the subject of the Conservative Party and Boris Johnson, levelling up became a key policy position during his tenure. Just 12% say housing has got better since the Conservatives got into government in 2010, while only 13% say social care has improved since.
And his successor Liz Truss, who was foreign secretary under Johnson and therefore responsible for global relationships and partnerships, inherits a perception from the public that more than half (54%) say how the world views the UK has got worse since 2010, with just 14% saying it has got better.
Chris Hopkins, Director of Political Research at Savanta ComRes said, “Much will be made of Boris Johnson’s legacy, and while his departure speech outside Downing Street was full of what he considers his achievements, there were more than a few hints at his desire to return to frontline politics.
“Such has been the damage to the Conservative brand in the last throes of his premiership, it’s unsurprising to see here that few believe he should make a return to frontline politics, nor does he remain an asset to his party.”
“However, the data also indicates considerably greater sympathy for Johnson among Conservative voters. This remains a key issue for his successor, and she will have to go to great lengths to try to unify a party still suffering in the polls from the Johnson era.
“Famously, voters do not reward divided parties at the ballot box, and Johnson’s speech yesterday could rally his allies to make life in No. 10. Even more difficult for Liz Truss than it already is.”
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