By Okiki Adeduyite
British politician of Nigerian descent, Kemi Badenoch, has emerged as the most popular political party leader in the United Kingdom, according to a new opinion poll, Daily Mail reports on Sunday.
Badenoch, who was born in London and spent part of her early years in Nigeria, currently leads the UK Conservative Party.
The survey by More in Common showed that Badenoch recorded a net approval rating of minus nine, marking a significant improvement from minus 32 recorded before her party’s conference in October last year.
She ranked ahead of Nigel Farage, who polled minus 16, and Ed Davey, who scored minus 11.
The poll also placed Keir Starmer at the bottom with a minus 42 rating, behind other party leaders including Green Party figure Zack Polanski, who recorded minus 16.
The report indicated that Badenoch’s improved rating may be linked to her recent political interventions and growing public recognition.
UK Director of More in Common, Luke Tryl, said her visibility has increased significantly in recent months.
“Whereas last summer we’d run whole focus groups where no one would know who Kemi was, she is often now brought up spontaneously, and even some of those who would never vote Tory say they admire her conviction and straightforwardness,” he told The Sunday Times.
Despite the improvement in her personal ratings, the poll noted that the Conservative Party has yet to see a corresponding rise in overall support.
