A POLITICAL behaviour expert based in Colchester says Conservative party members face “a dilemma” in choosing their next leader.
Professor Paul Whiteley, from Essex University’s political behaviour group in the Department of Government, said: “Polling shows the Conservative party membership favour Liz Truss to be the next Prime Minister, but the Conservative-voting public would choose Rishi Sunak.
“The major problem for the Conservative party is its members disagree with Conservative voters about who their leader should be.
“They are even less in agreement with non-Conservative voters – whose support they’d theoretically be trying to win in an election.
“The Conservatives may well end up with a leader who is popular in the party but lacks voter appeal.”
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In his ‘explainer’ piece, published in The Conversation, Prof Whiteley said the cost-of-living crisis “dominates the picture” for voters.
He added: “Once the winner is decided they will have to take urgent action to deal with the cost of living crisis.
“Unfunded tax cuts will likely prolong high rates of inflation and the Bank of England will respond by raising interest rates and restricting credit.”
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