Sir Keir Starmer’s popularity appears to be waning, with recent polling indicating he is now as unpopular as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. According to YouGov pollsters, 60% of people currently hold an unfavourable opinion of the Labour Party, just three months after their significant victory in the general election. Sir Keir Starmer’s net favourability ratings have plummeted to minus 36, placing him on par with Nigel Farage at minus 35. Outgoing Conservative party leader Rishi Sunak, however, trails behind both of them with a rating of minus 42.
The latest YouGov survey, conducted between October 4 and 6 with a sample size of 2,121 adults across Britain, also revealed public sentiment towards other political figures. Prime Minister Boris Johnson garnered a 27% favourability rating, while 63% viewed him unfavourably, resulting in a net score of minus 36. Among political party leaders, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey fared better with a minus seven net rating.
Within Sir Keir’s team, no Cabinet minister received a net positive rating. Rachel Reeves was perceived the least favourably by the public with a minus 29 score. Chancellor Angela Rayner followed closely behind with a net rating of minus 25. Of note, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh was the most favourably viewed, receiving a minus eight score, though 82% of respondents did not express an opinion on her.
The public’s unfavourable judgment extended to Labour as a whole, with 60% expressing a negative view. Reform UK trailed closely behind at 59%, while the Conservative Party remained the least favoured, with 65% holding an unfavourable opinion. Among potential Tory leaders, none received a net positive favourability rating. Kemi Badenoch was rated the lowest at minus 27, while Tom Tugendhat emerged as the most favourably viewed with a minus 13 rating.
Amid these findings, it is evident that public opinion towards political figures is fluctuating, indicating a fluid landscape of favourability among leaders across the political spectrum.