Ed Costelloe, chairman of Grassroots Conservatives, said he was surprised James Cleverly did not make it to the vote of members.
Polling suggests Badenoch is the favourite to take the crown, he said, but added: “When you listen to ordinary members who have never been polled, there’s more open-mindedness.”
Mr Costelloe said he was personally leaning towards Badenoch.
“Kemi Badenoch is the sort of person who can stand up and in a sense, become more presidential. I suspect that she will win.
“She will make a few failings of course. But also I suspect she will mould herself on Maggie Thatcher, say she’s going to get things done, and people will probably believe her.”
James Hawkes, a member of the Young Conservatives from Hull, said housing will be a big issue for him and others his age.
“We need a candidate who’s willing to build more houses,” he said.
He lamented Cleverly’s exit, which “might not be the best” for the party.
Badenoch, Mr Hawkes said, “appeals too much to the Reform-ist rightwing and it just won’t work”.
Mr Hawkes said Jenrick has the right balance, adding he can appeal “more to the right and left of the party on a range of issues”.
Source:
www.bbc.com
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