Kemi Badenoch is the most trusted political leader on the economy, according to a new BMG Research poll for The i Paper. The Conservative leader holds a net trust score of -7 per cent, one point ahead of Andy Burnham on -8 per cent. Burnham, in turn, is 16 points ahead of Nigel Farage and 23 points ahead of Sir Keir Starmer.
The poll, conducted ahead of Burnham's major economic speech on Monday, reveals that nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) of voters want him to raise the threshold at which workers start paying income tax. Only 11 per cent oppose the move. Burnham suggested during his Makerfield by-election campaign that he would consider increasing the £12,570 personal allowance, but such a cut would cost billions while public finances remain tight.
A majority of voters (51 per cent) also support full nationalisation of utilities such as water and energy, with just 16 per cent opposed. Burnham has stopped short of full nationalisation, instead calling for greater 'public control' of utility firms. Other policies, such as a land value tax to replace council tax and stamp duty, find support from 30 per cent of voters, while 29 per cent back reinstating the northern leg of HS2.
On the question of who should be chancellor under a Burnham government, more Labour voters believe he should sack Rachel Reeves than keep her. Among Labour supporters, Ed Miliband is the preferred alternative (12 per cent), ahead of Wes Streeting (9 per cent). Conservative and Reform voters favour Streeting. However, large proportions of voters said they did not know who should be chancellor or wanted none of the named figures.
