LONDON: UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss opened up an astonishing 34-point lead victory in the latest opinion poll of Conservative members who make up the electorate, suggesting her contender for party leadership and the Prime Minister's post, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak has a mountain to climb, media reports said.
As per reports, there are clear indications that the party has already decided who it wants to be its next leader and prime minister when Truss and Sunak debate the Tory faithful on Wednesday night. As he gets ready for the third hustings in Cardiff, the former chancellor's hopes that people will change their minds are dashed by the YouGov study conducted for the Times, UK.
More than 80 percent of those who declare their support for his opponent insist that their decision to vote for her has already been made and that they intend to do it as soon as feasible.
According to the media reports, only 17% of respondents believe they might still change their vote, compared to 29% of Sunak's backers.
Another setback is that the election has been delayed after spy chiefs issued a warning that the votes "may be exposed to hackers."
Originally, Conservative party members were going to be given a postal ballot which had a code with it, individual to each voter. Thereafter, they could then submit their choice by post or online for the first time- and were able to change their decision later in the contest.
Last two contenders competing to become the next prime minister
Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss spar in first TV debate in poll of electoral college
Truss v. Sunak: Polarizing Margaret Thatcher hangs over the UK leadership race