The Tories have opened up a two-point lead over Labour after choosing Kemi Badenoch as leader, new polling shows. The party is now ahead with 29 per cent of voters compared to Labour’s 27 per cent, the largest Conservative lead since Labour’s landslide general election victory in July.

Kemi Badenoch has called for the Tories to “be honest” about their mistakes in government after winning the Tory leadership vote – becoming the first Black leader of a Westminster party.

In response to the new Tory leader, Chancellor Rachel Reeves told the Observer: “If Kemi Badenoch opposes this Budget, then she has to tell the country if she opposes investment to cut waiting lists, investment to recruit teachers and investment to build critical infrastructure. Labour has made its choices, now the Tories need to make theirs.”

The U.K.’s opposition Conservative Party on Saturday named its new leader, following a long-drawn-out runoff after the Tories’ landslide electoral defeat marked a moment of reckoning.

The Tories have enjoyed a 'Badenoch bounce' after installing their new leader, according to a poll today. The party leapfrogged Labour to take a two-point advantage since Kemi Badenoch was handed the top job.

Tories take narrow poll lead over Labour in Badenoch’s first week as leader - Kemi Badenoch has taken the party to 29 per cent of the vote, according to pollsters More in Common, with Labour languishing on just 27 per cent.