Polls Show Reduced Popularity for Starmer and Reeves Compared to Trump
UK Political Landscape Shows Widespread Dissatisfaction
According to the latest City AM/Freshwater survey, the political landscape in the UK is marked by widespread voter dissatisfaction, particularly with the leadership and policies of Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, the Labour Party's Prime Minister and Chancellor respectively.
Starmer and Reeves are currently facing near record low approval ratings, with Starmer at -37 and Reeves around -36. Reeves' unpopularity is linked to her tax-raising Budget and the negative voter reaction that persisted despite some political sympathy. Starmer's Labour government has also been criticized for policies on taxes, green energy, migration, and crime, which have contributed to their poor public image.
On the other hand, Donald Trump, despite being unpopular overall (57% have an unfavourable view), has seen a slight rise in popularity among UK voters to 26%, making him less unpopular than Starmer and Reeves but far behind Nigel Farage.
Farage and his Reform UK party enjoy a positive net approval rating (+3), making them the most popular political figure/party in the survey. Reform UK is also seen as the most pro-business party, scoring higher than Labour and the Conservatives on supporting UK business needs. This economic positioning and Farage’s continued visibility as a Brexit figure contribute strongly to the public’s warmer reception of him.
The political climate suggests voters are dissatisfied with the main parties’ handling of economic and social issues, while Farage’s Reform UK is viewed as a fresh alternative with clearer pro-business and nationalist policies that resonate with many voters.
In contrast, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has seen a fall in his approval rating among UK voters, with just a fifth (20%) having a favorable view of him. Some of Musk's extreme rhetoric may have perturbed UK voters, contributing to the fall in his approval rating.
Interestingly, Farmers are the most popular notable figure among UK respondents, closely followed by King Charles and Jeremy Clarkson. Despite this, Nigel Farage and his Reform UK party are the most popular among UK's main political figures and organizations, with a net approval rating of plus three points. Reform UK is the only party of which UK voters have a favorable view.
In summary, Starmer and Reeves suffer from low approval due to unpopular policy decisions and perceived leadership failures, Trump is unpopular but slightly more favored than Labour leaders, while Farage benefits from a stronger pro-business image and voter alignment with his party’s agenda, making him comparatively more popular. Musk's approval rating among UK voters has taken a hit due to some of his extreme statements.
- The survey revealed that political figures in the UK, such as Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, are facing significant public dissatisfaction, particularly in relation to their policies on taxation, energy, immigration, and crime.
- Nigel Farage and his Reform UK party have garnered the most support from UK voters, owing to their pro-business and nationalist policies, and are seen as a fresh alternative to mainstream parties struggling with economic and social issues.
- Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has experienced a decline in his approval rating among UK voters, potentially due to some of his extreme public statements.
- Despite Farmers, King Charles, and Jeremy Clarkson being popular with UK respondents, Nigel Farage and Reform UK have the most favorable net approval rating among political figures and organizations, highlighting the public's preference for clear, pro-business policies.
