Conservatives edge Reform as voters’ preferred opposition to Labour

An Ipsos poll puts the Conservatives ahead of Reform UK as voters’ preferred main opposition to Labour, giving Kemi Badenoch’s party a three-point lead. The shift matters because being seen as the leading challenger to the Government could strengthen the Tories’ standing in a crowded political field, though pollsters caution that the change may be a temporary post-conference bounce.

The poll found the Conservatives on 35 per cent and Reform on 32 per cent, reversing Reform’s 28-point lead in May. Among people who voted Labour in 2024, the Tories now lead Reform by 13 points as the perceived main opposition. Badenoch’s ratings have risen, with 32 per cent saying she is likely to become prime minister, while the equivalent figure for Nigel Farage has fallen from 50 per cent in May to 33 per cent. Reform has also faced controversy over donations and allegations of racism and sexism.