A new opinion survey by Ipsos suggests Keir Starmer is facing the weakest public support of his leadership, with approval ratings sinking to a historic low and deepening doubts about his political future.
According to the poll, conducted between April 17 and 21, only 18 per cent of Britons say they approve of Starmer’s performance and policies. Ipsos noted that this places him below the lowest recorded popularity of former US president George W. Bush, who stood at 20 per cent approval during the height of public opposition to the Iraq War in 2008.
Public sentiment on Starmer’s leadership appears largely unchanged from last autumn but remains overwhelmingly negative. Half of respondents believe he should step aside as prime minister, while just 36 per cent say he should remain in office. Nearly seven in ten voters, 68 per cent, consider it unlikely that Starmer will lead Labour to victory at the next general election.
The findings also expose uncertainty about Labour’s prospects beyond Starmer. While 36 per cent believe the party would improve its chances under a different leader, a similar share say a leadership change would make little difference. Only 12 per cent think Labour would perform better if Starmer stays at the helm.
Among potential successors, Andy Burnham emerges as the most favoured option, though support remains modest at 17 per cent. A significant proportion of respondents either rejected all alternatives or said they were undecided. Other senior Labour figures, including Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting, attracted limited backing.
Burnham is the only figure to register a net positive favourability score, while Starmer’s personal ratings remain deeply negative, with nearly three times as many voters viewing him unfavourably as favourably. Several prominent cabinet members and Labour leaders also recorded negative public perceptions.
Despite concerns over leadership, Labour continues to outperform Reform UK in voting intention, leading by nine points. However, broader views of the governing party remain bleak, with a majority of respondents describing Labour’s performance in government as poor and holding an unfavourable view of the party overall.
On the opposition benches, Nigel Farage is seen by 40 per cent of voters as a possible future prime minister, though more respondents believe such an outcome is unlikely. Kemi Badenoch trails behind, with fewer voters rating her as a likely future leader.
The survey also highlights a gloomy national mood. Two-thirds of Britons believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, while more than half say Brexit has had a negative impact. Healthcare, the rising cost of living and immigration continue to dominate voter concerns ahead of the next election.
Ipsos Director of Politics Keiran Pedley said the data shows that public opinion of Starmer has stabilised at a low level, with no obvious alternative leader commanding widespread confidence. He added that while dissatisfaction with leadership is clear, voters remain unconvinced that changing the figure at the top would fundamentally alter Labour’s fortunes.
