Kemi Badenoch has taken over the leadership of the party as it reels from electoral disaster (Image: Getty)

       Conservatives have been told to stop toppling their leaders in the search of a Messiah. The party of Thatcher has been reminded the Iron Lady herself was once seen as “hopeless” and “shrill”.

       Sir Iain Duncan Smith – who succeeded William Hague as party leader in the wake of Labour’s 2001 landslide and helmed the Tories from September 2001 to November 2003 – warns the search for a political Messiah has been a “disaster” for the Conservatives.

       Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

       Milana Vayntrub, 38, Show Her Huge Size In A New PhotoThe Latest Article | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Reform celebrate another by-election win over Labour - 78% of vote

       327 Comments

       POLL: Who do you think should replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader?

       696 Comments

       Defiant Kemi Badenoch skewers Nigel Farage - 'don't underestimate me'

       105 Comments

       Keir Starmer is playing right into Nigel Farage's hands

       54 Comments

       Nigel Farage finally breaks silence after days of speculation about his disappearance

       908 Comments

       Nigel Farage issues 12-word warning to Kemi Badenoch after disastrous poll

       18 Comments

       Nigel Farage says Reform is now party of 'working people' with huge benefits announcement

       1180 Comments

       Labour's electoral survival depends on pacifying pensioners

       59 Comments

       Inside Reform UK's takeover of former Labour stronghold - 'They've let us down badly'

       717 Comments

       Nigel Farage exposes Keir Starmer 'surrender' to EU in major Brexit betrayal

       1531 Comments

       Bombshell poll as Labour voters turn to Nigel Farage in hammer blow for Keir Starmer

       202 Comments

       Keir Starmer is about to take credit for something he had absolutely no hand in

       129 Comments

       Pollster John Curtice issues devastating warning for Keir Starmer on U-turn

       302 Comments

       Nigel Farage plans visit ahead of by-election as Reform hopes to crush SNP and Labour

       228 Comments

       $99 Hearing Aids Better Than $2500 Ones?Senior Vitality Magazine | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Nigel Farage gets another huge boost for Reform UK in humiliation for Tories

       60 Comments

       Nigel Farage to issue huge challenge to Keir Starmer in major speech

       438 Comments

       Say Goodbye to Rust! This Spray Eliminates It in SecondsRemove Rust With Ease | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Shock poll shows Reform storming ahead on 29% as Tories drop to FOURTH

       1233 Comments

       Nigel Farge vows to reinstate winter fuel allowance and scrap two child benefit cap

       220 Comments

       Save up to 40% on hotels.Trivago | Sponsored Sponsored

       Get Offer

       Undo

       Kemi Badenoch could be ousted by November - these are the 3 people who couple replace her

       627 Comments

       Key policy Keir Starmer approved shows how many dullards are in Labour

       16 Comments

       Eyelash Transformation For Older WomenPrime Prometics | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Reform celebrate another by-election win over Labour - 78% of vote

       327 Comments

       POLL: Who do you think should replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader?

       696 Comments

       Flight Attendant Reveals How To Fly Business Class For the Price Of EconomyOnline Shopping Tools | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Defiant Kemi Badenoch skewers Nigel Farage - 'don't underestimate me'

       105 Comments

       Keir Starmer is playing right into Nigel Farage's hands

       54 Comments

       Dermatologist Says These Are The Top 17 Beauty Products Of 2025Life'd Beauty | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Nigel Farage finally breaks silence after days of speculation about his disappearance

       908 Comments

       Nigel Farage issues 12-word warning to Kemi Badenoch after disastrous poll

       18 Comments

       Amazon Is Losing Money as Nevada Shoppers Are Canceling Prime for This Clever HackOnline Shopping Tools | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Nigel Farage says Reform is now party of 'working people' with huge benefits announcement

       1180 Comments

       Labour's electoral survival depends on pacifying pensioners

       59 Comments

       MD: Building Muscle After 60 Comes Down To This 1 ThingApex Labs | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Inside Reform UK's takeover of former Labour stronghold - 'They've let us down badly'

       717 Comments

       Nigel Farage exposes Keir Starmer 'surrender' to EU in major Brexit betrayal

       1531 Comments

       Mascara Older Women Can’t Stop Talking AboutPrime Prometics | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Bombshell poll as Labour voters turn to Nigel Farage in hammer blow for Keir Starmer

       202 Comments

       Keir Starmer is about to take credit for something he had absolutely no hand in

       129 Comments

       Pics Of A-Listers From Before They Were FamousHomeTalk | Sponsored Sponsored

       Read More

       Undo

       Pollster John Curtice issues devastating warning for Keir Starmer on U-turn

       302 Comments

       Nigel Farage plans visit ahead of by-election as Reform hopes to crush SNP and Labour

       228 Comments

       Nigel Farage gets another huge boost for Reform UK in humiliation for Tories

       60 Comments

       Nigel Farage to issue huge challenge to Keir Starmer in major speech

       438 Comments

       Shock poll shows Reform storming ahead on 29% as Tories drop to FOURTH

       1233 Comments

       Nigel Farge vows to reinstate winter fuel allowance and scrap two child benefit cap

       220 Comments

       Kemi Badenoch could be ousted by November - these are the 3 people who couple replace her

       627 Comments

       Key policy Keir Starmer approved shows how many dullards are in Labour

       16 Comments

       Reform celebrate another by-election win over Labour - 78% of vote

       327 Comments

       POLL: Who do you think should replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader?

       696 Comments

       Defiant Kemi Badenoch skewers Nigel Farage - 'don't underestimate me'

       105 Comments

       Keir Starmer is playing right into Nigel Farage's hands

       54 Comments

       Nigel Farage finally breaks silence after days of speculation about his disappearance

       908 Comments

       Nigel Farage issues 12-word warning to Kemi Badenoch after disastrous poll

       18 Comments

       Nigel Farage says Reform is now party of 'working people' with huge benefits announcement

       1180 Comments

       He said: “The public think that we are panickers because in the space of less than 10 years we have seen the back of five prime ministers and the public I think is sick of that.”

       The Tories have been led by David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak over the last decade – and Sir Iain is clear that switching leaders again is not the answer to the party’s present polling difficulties.

       Powered By

       10 Sec

       330K

       15

       World Cup Diary: England fall short, but can be proud of tournament efforts

       Next

       Stay

       Techne’s latest poll puts Nigel Farage’s Reform UK on 30%, followed by Labour (22%), the Conservatives (17%) and the Liberal Democrats (16%).

       Sponsored

       Fastest Search | Sponsored Sponsored

       Search Now

       Type In Any Name, Wait 120+ Seconds, See Instant Results

       Undo

       Don't miss...

       Tories in fourth place in nightmare poll ahead of election [LATEST]

       Nearly half Reform supporters want merger with Conservatives [LATEST]

       Mel Stride declares Rachel Reeves can be ousted after just one term [LATEST]

       Reform UK blasts Tories as 'architects of mass immigration' [LATEST]

       'Thatcher got time to develop and, wow, did she develop'

       Margaret Thatcher was famed for her bond with Ronald Reagan (Image: Getty)

       Sir Iain argues the public want to see a party that no longer ousts the people entrusted with the top job

       He said: “They want to know that we are a stable party that does what we say and not a party that every five seconds decides it’s got to decapitate the next person in charge and call for a Messiah. There is no Messiah out there.

       “This Messiah complex that we seem to have is a disaster for us and the search for this Messiah hasn’t worked so far and it’s not going to work.”

       Many Tories talk about Margaret Thatcher in near-mythical terms, but Sir Iain argues she did not arrive with this reputation as a “colossus”.

       He said: “I remember when Mrs Thatcher came to [the leadership]. Lots of people very quickly claimed she was hopeless, shrill, difficult, not the person who would lead us to glory...

       “Luckily the Conservative party wasn’t quite so fixated on getting rid of their leaders as they have been. She got time to develop and, wow, did she develop.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Reform celebrate another by-election win over Labour - 78% of vote

       327 Comments

       POLL: Who do you think should replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader?

       696 Comments

       Defiant Kemi Badenoch skewers Nigel Farage - 'don't underestimate me'

       105 Comments

       Keir Starmer is playing right into Nigel Farage's hands

       54 Comments

       Nigel Farage finally breaks silence after days of speculation about his disappearance

       908 Comments

       Nigel Farage issues 12-word warning to Kemi Badenoch after disastrous poll

       18 Comments

       Nigel Farage says Reform is now party of 'working people' with huge benefits announcement

       1181 Comments

       Labour's electoral survival depends on pacifying pensioners

       59 Comments

       Inside Reform UK's takeover of former Labour stronghold - 'They've let us down badly'

       717 Comments

       Nigel Farage exposes Keir Starmer 'surrender' to EU in major Brexit betrayal

       1531 Comments

       Bombshell poll as Labour voters turn to Nigel Farage in hammer blow for Keir Starmer

       202 Comments

       Keir Starmer is about to take credit for something he had absolutely no hand in

       129 Comments

       Pollster John Curtice issues devastating warning for Keir Starmer on U-turn

       302 Comments

       Nigel Farage plans visit ahead of by-election as Reform hopes to crush SNP and Labour

       228 Comments

       Skyrizi vs. Taltz for Plaque Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis: Important Differences and Potential Risks.GoodRx | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Nigel Farage gets another huge boost for Reform UK in humiliation for Tories

       60 Comments

       Nigel Farage to issue huge challenge to Keir Starmer in major speech

       438 Comments

       Serious Dating for SeniorsSecretmeet | Sponsored Sponsored

       Read More

       Undo

       Shock poll shows Reform storming ahead on 29% as Tories drop to FOURTH

       1233 Comments

       Nigel Farge vows to reinstate winter fuel allowance and scrap two child benefit cap

       220 Comments

       Dexcom G7 is proven to lower A1C and increase time in range3？？.Dexcom | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Kemi Badenoch could be ousted by November - these are the 3 people who couple replace her

       627 Comments

       Key policy Keir Starmer approved shows how many dullards are in Labour

       16 Comments

       What Vitamin Causes Immediate Relief From Sciatic Nerve Pain?SciatiEase | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Reform celebrate another by-election win over Labour - 78% of vote

       327 Comments

       POLL: Who do you think should replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader?

       696 Comments

       Tiny Device Reveals Why Japanese Rarely Need Assisted LivingUS Medicine Today | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Defiant Kemi Badenoch skewers Nigel Farage - 'don't underestimate me'

       105 Comments

       Keir Starmer is playing right into Nigel Farage's hands

       54 Comments

       Kaitlan Collins Shows Her Perfect Figure In Vacation PhotoCash Roadster | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Nigel Farage finally breaks silence after days of speculation about his disappearance

       908 Comments

       Nigel Farage issues 12-word warning to Kemi Badenoch after disastrous poll

       18 Comments

       Social Security Recipients Under $2,384/Mo Now Entitled To 12 "Kickbacks" This Month (Tap for List)SuperSavings | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Nigel Farage says Reform is now party of 'working people' with huge benefits announcement

       1181 Comments

       Labour's electoral survival depends on pacifying pensioners

       59 Comments

       Unlock The Secrets Of Password Management Password Management | search ads | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Inside Reform UK's takeover of former Labour stronghold - 'They've let us down badly'

       717 Comments

       Nigel Farage exposes Keir Starmer 'surrender' to EU in major Brexit betrayal

       1531 Comments

       Stay Cool with These Chic Summer Outfits From AmazonCountry Living | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Bombshell poll as Labour voters turn to Nigel Farage in hammer blow for Keir Starmer

       202 Comments

       Keir Starmer is about to take credit for something he had absolutely no hand in

       129 Comments

       Has Honda Done It Again? The New Honda CR-V is Finally Here.TheFactualist | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Pollster John Curtice issues devastating warning for Keir Starmer on U-turn

       302 Comments

       Nigel Farage plans visit ahead of by-election as Reform hopes to crush SNP and Labour

       228 Comments

       Nigel Farage gets another huge boost for Reform UK in humiliation for Tories

       60 Comments

       Nigel Farage to issue huge challenge to Keir Starmer in major speech

       438 Comments

       Shock poll shows Reform storming ahead on 29% as Tories drop to FOURTH

       1233 Comments

       Nigel Farge vows to reinstate winter fuel allowance and scrap two child benefit cap

       220 Comments

       Kemi Badenoch could be ousted by November - these are the 3 people who couple replace her

       627 Comments

       Key policy Keir Starmer approved shows how many dullards are in Labour

       16 Comments

       Reform celebrate another by-election win over Labour - 78% of vote

       327 Comments

       POLL: Who do you think should replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader?

       696 Comments

       Defiant Kemi Badenoch skewers Nigel Farage - 'don't underestimate me'

       105 Comments

       Keir Starmer is playing right into Nigel Farage's hands

       54 Comments

       Nigel Farage finally breaks silence after days of speculation about his disappearance

       908 Comments

       Nigel Farage issues 12-word warning to Kemi Badenoch after disastrous poll

       18 Comments

       Nigel Farage says Reform is now party of 'working people' with huge benefits announcement

       1181 Comments

       Rules You Didn't Know 'Survivor' Contestants Have to FollowCosmopolitan

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Milana, 38, Shows Her Huge Size In New PhotosCash Roadster

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       MIL Accused Her of Stealing at the Wedding, Her Husband Believed It. The Next Day, He Regretted Ituniversalinfonet.com

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Chelsea Clinton, 44, Drives Probably the Most Expensive Car in the World.Boite A Scoop

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       “The woman who we remember now who bestrode the world like a colossus was not the woman who got elected in 1975 in the eyes of the public.”

       Don't miss...

       Tories' new plot so Kemi Badenoch can cause chaos for 'rattled' Keir Starmer [LATEST]

       Nigel Farage launches recruitment drive for 2,500 candidates in threat to Tories [LATEST]

       Penny Mordaunt damns Labour's 'heartbreaking' damage to UK [LATEST]

       Simple question Sir Keir Starmer dreads being asked [LATEST]

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

       Trending

       Sir Iain believes the party must develop credible solutions to the issues of top concerns to voters – and prove it can be trusted with government.

       “We need to show we are not just a political party that spends its time up in Westminster assassinating one another,” he said.