I asked diehard Tories who will be the next prime minister – their answers might shock you
Express assistant news editor and Conservative councillor Mieka Smiles chatted to the Tory faithful about their thoughts on the UK’s next leader.
Conservative Party members gave their view on who will be the next PM (Image: Getty)
Barely a year since Labour’s historic return to power, it may seem strange that the question already on many people’s lips is who will become the UK’s next prime minister. Yet with divisions simmering in Keir Starmer’s party and Reform’s astonishing surge in popularity, the answer is anything but clear.
Conservative Party members at their annual conference certainly have had plenty to say on who they think will lead the country next – and some of their answers might surprise you. Lachlan Bruce, 32, works in public affairs for a charity and is a Conservative councillor in East Lothian.
He said: “I do think that Kemi [Badenoch] is going to be the next PM and I think that she is growing into her role. I do think that the fundamentals are there.
“I do think that we need to see her out and about [more]. There’s a lot on social media but not very much [of her] out with the public which helps you to understand what is really going on in the world and how communities are being affected by Labour.”
So a tick for Kemi from Lachlan – and he’s not the only one who felt that she is better placed than the polls might suggest.
Stephen Ayshford, 28, works in events. He is from Bristol but lives in London with his partner.
He said: “This is going to be a cop-out but I genuinely don’t know [who is going to be the next prime minister]. Three and a half years is a long way off. I would hope it will be Kemi.”
Paul Salvin, 43, is an energy trader who lives in Eston, Teesside, and is a Conservative councillor for Normanby. He is married with two children. He, however, has quite a different take.
He said: “I think it’s going to be Nigel isn’t it – if I was a betting man anyway. Perhaps a potential coalition? I think that’s the best that we can hope for in 2029.”
Igraine Gray, 31, is a writer who lives in Loftus, North Yorkshire. She agreed that a Farage win is looking inevitable.
She said: “Unfortunately, I think it’s going to be Nigel Farage. But I think it will be good for all of five minutes before it implodes.”
Peter Grogan, 46, is a dad of five and grandfather of two. He is self-employed in the fire protection industry and lives in Redcar. He is a Conservative councillor in Kirkleatham.
He said: “As it stands, it’s looking more like Farage. Certainly not Keir Starmer. In fact, I would be surprised if he lasts until the end of this parliament.”
David Dixon, 77, from Barlborough, is a retired control systems engineer and he has been a Conservative councillor since 2019.
He said: “I think Reform will undoubtedly win the next general election.”
Ryan Witchell, 35, works for an MP and lives in Bridlington. He dished out some advice to all those Conservative Party members worried about the threat of Reform when asked about who will next take the helm.
He said: “It would have to be Kemi – we have four more years yet and everyone is panicking. I’m just like ‘chill out!’”
