The focus group consisted of five working-class Tory voters from Wolverhampton in a bid to see how the top candidates in the leadership race would fare against Labour. In a blow to Mr. Sunak and Mrs. Truss, Mrs. Mordaunt proved to be the most popular with the members of the group.
After being shown a video of the trade minister, three of the voters said they would vote for the Conservatives, while one chose Labor and another was undecided.
One of the group said: “When she talks, it sounds like it’s a little more from the heart, especially compared to Rishi. It sounds a bit too smooth and Starmer sounds too robotic.”
Another added: “She has more energy about her. Liz Truss just seems a little cold.”
By comparison, after seeing a video of Mr Sunak, three of the voters said they would choose Labor and only one supported the former Chancellor.
Mr. Sunak was described by members of the group as “out of touch”, “too slippery” and “beaten”.
After watching a clip of Mrs Truss, three members of the group said they would vote for Labour, while two said they would elect the Foreign Secretary.
One said: “She looks dodgy, she just looks too much like a politician – even more than Rishi.”
Ed Dorrell, a director of the center-right political research group Public First, said the “secret” to Ms. Mordaunt’s “flutter of popularity” may be that she is not well known.
READ MORE: Beth Rigby Outlines Exactly Why This Is The ‘MOST VICIOUS’ Race To Be PM
Attorney General Suella Braverman was eliminated in the final ballot today.
Ms Truss hopes to get votes from Ms Braverman’s supporters in the next ballot as the Tories on the right side of the party want to rally around a single candidate.
Mr Sunak received 101 votes, Ms Mordaunt 83, Ms Truss 64, Jemi Badenoch 49 and Tom Tugendhat 32.
Mrs. Braverman had 27 votes, five less than in Wednesday’s first round, despite the smaller field on Thursday.
Mr Tugendhat also dropped five votes but insisted he would not quit the race.
Ms Mordaunt received the most votes, making 16 of Wednesday’s total.
Mr Sunak has cast 13 additional votes and is approaching the 120 votes needed to guarantee a place among the final two, which will receive a vote from Tory members to decide the next party leader and prime minister.
Ms Truss, who gave a campaign speech earlier on Thursday, received 14 votes but hopes she can serve as a standard-bearer for the right of the party, picking up supporters not only from Ms Braverman, but also from Ms Badenoch, who, under pressure state allies of the Secretary of State to withdraw from the competition.
The next round of voting is scheduled for Monday, with further rounds as necessary until two candidates remain, who will then battle it out over the summer to win the support of Conservative members.
Their choice for the next prime minister will be announced on September 5.
Boris Johnson will then formally tender his resignation to the Queen to make way for his successor the following day.