Voting by Tory members is an 'undemocratic' way to choose next PM, voters say

Almost half the country believes in member power of the Conservative Party to choose the next prime minister is "undemocratic", according to a new poll for The Independent.

Some 41% of voters believe the process - decided by around 160,000 Tory members – not a democratic way to select Boris Johnson's successor, according to the Savanta ComRes survey.

Only 38% believe in the membership vote, which will see Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak take the orders to No 10 in early September, is a democratic way for Britain to choose its political leader.

Only three former leaders - Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair and David Cameron - have become prime minister by winning a general election since 1979.

The Savanta poll also found that Ms Truss is well placed to become the fifth prime minister since 1979 to take over in Downing Street following of an internal battle within the party.

Ms Truss is the favored choice as the next prime minister among 49% of Tory voters, against only 25% for Mr Sunak. Around 25% of party voters are undecided.

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