Sir Keir Starmer’s popularity has hit a record low as voters have turned on Labour after 100 days in office, according to new polling data. As Prime Minister Starmer marks the milestone, polls reveal a significant drop in his approval rating, with nearly half of Labour voters expressing feelings of disappointment.
During his first three months in office, Sir Keir has faced challenges within his government, including internal conflicts leading to the departure of a key aide, Sue Gray, controversies surrounding gifts and donations, and backlash against the decision to remove winter fuel payments for many pensioners.
Recent polls by Ipsos and YouGov reflect a decline in favourability towards the Labour government, with the party’s net favourability rating dropping from +6 to -21. Sir Keir’s personal favourability rating has also fallen to -26, the lowest since he assumed leadership in 2020. Additionally, a YouGov survey indicates that a significant portion of voters now believe the country is in a worse state post-general election.
In response to the negative sentiment, Sir Keir has attempted to realign his government’s agenda by addressing concerns such as gift restrictions and cabinet accountability. Despite these efforts, voter apathy persists, with over a third expressing low expectations for the remainder of the government’s term.
The latest Techne survey for The Independent shows Labour’s support declining to 29%, a 5-point drop from the election, with challenges emerging among older voters specifically. Criticism over the cancellation of winter fuel payments for pensioners has led to Labour trailing behind the Tories and Reform UK in several age categories.
As Sir Keir navigates these turbulent times, the pressure mounts for the government to regain public trust and confidence. The upcoming budget announcement will be crucial to determining the party’s future trajectory amidst growing discontent among voters.