Brits told express.co.uk that they couldn’t throw prominent Tories cold water at the prospect of tantalizing voters. We took to the streets of London to ask the locals for their opinion, but found they couldn’t name the movers and shakers working in their own city. Many couldn’t even recognize the party’s heavy hitters when presented with a photo, raising questions about electoral oblivion for the Tories.
Although well-known ministers such as Priti Patel and Rishi Sunak were most recognized by the public, many people said: express.co.uk that they didn’t care who the next Tory leader would be, with a gulf between the government and the ruled.
The list featured big names in the Tory party including Rishi Sunak, Sajid Javid, Steve Baker, Dominic Raab, Priti Patel, Liz Truss, Ben Wallace, Kwasi Kwarteng, Grant Shapps, Penny Mordaunt and a few others.
Pablo Grant, 57, had an idea of the latest developments at Westminster but was unable to name the key players.
He pointed to Sajid Javid and said “he just stopped” and he pointed to Nadhim Zahawi and added: “He just took someone’s place.”
He pointed to Dominic Raab and said, “I know he, I don’t know if he’s gone, he should.”
Rachel Johnston, 65, a psychotherapist from Northern Ireland, said she had “lost interest in politics” because of Boris Johnson.
She only recognized Home Secretary Priti Patel when she showed photos of prominent Tories and described herself as “middle of the road” when it came to politics.
Nora, 79 and retired, is Australian but has lived in the UK for many years. But of all the 14 politicians we showed her, she could recognize only one: Secretary of State Liz Truss.
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She supported the prime minister’s resignation, calling it “the best in the world!”.
Alan and Jacqueline Warnes from Kent outperformed most. They were steadfast in their support of the prime minister, saying they wanted to “let him finish Brexit!”
Mr Warnes acknowledged backbench Brexiteer Steve Baker as well as ex Health Minister Jeremy Hunt and Priti Patel.
Ms Warnes recognized Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng and said, “Just call him Kwasi!”
Former health minister Sajid Javid was recognized by almost everyone interviewed after he sensationally left Johnson’s cabinet this week, but very few people could correctly remember his name.
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Likewise, most recognized the new Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, who had joined calls for Johnson to quit just one day after his prime minister appointment, but few were able to put a name on their face.
The comments cast doubt on the leadership bid for the Tory party and leave the question of who has the charisma to take a Tory victory in the next general election.
While some of the people we interviewed were staunch Labor supporters, others were Tory voters and many were floating voters.
If the Tories expect to retain their majority of nearly 80 seats won by Boris Johnson in 2019, they will have to choose a leader who can excite the public, or at least be recognizable to them.