Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has surged to the top of favourability ratings among potential Prime Ministers, while key Labour figures Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting have seen their popularity decline. According to recent polling, nearly three in ten Britons hold a favourable view of Mrs Badenoch (28%), surpassing Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham (26%) and former Health Secretary Wes Streeting (15%).
Labour Contenders Hit by Party Turmoil
The data indicates that the prospective successors to Sir Keir Starmer have become less popular as internal Labour conflicts deepen. Mr Burnham experienced a six-point drop in favourability since May, while Mr Streeting suffered a four-point decline over the same period. Election expert and Conservative peer Lord Hayward commented that Mrs Badenoch has capitalised on the "mess in the Labour party" more than anticipated, noting that even those previously uninterested in Prime Minister's Questions now look forward to her confrontations with Sir Keir.
Lord Hayward added: "What it is doing is speeding up the process of Tory party rehabilitation."
Makerfield By-Election Looms
The polling emerges ahead of Thursday's Makerfield by-election, which will determine whether Mr Burnham can return to Parliament and challenge Sir Keir for the Labour leadership. When voters were asked who would make the best prime minister between Mr Burnham and Sir Keir, one in four chose the mayor, while only 12% opted for the current Labour leader. However, half of Britons said they wanted neither or saw no difference between the two.
On the crucial issue of whether Mr Burnham could help Labour stop Reform UK's Nigel Farage from becoming prime minister, the polling suggests replacing Sir Keir would have minimal impact. When offered a direct choice between a Burnham-led government and a Reform administration, 44% would vote Labour, compared to 31% for Mr Farage's party. With Sir Keir still in charge, 41% would back Labour and 32% Reform.
Badenoch Outshines Other Leaders
In a further boost for the Conservatives, Mrs Badenoch outperformed Mr Farage (26%) in favourability, as well as Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey (22%) and Green Party's Zack Polanski (20%). More people viewed the Tory leader favourably than senior Labour figures such as Sir Tony Blair (20%), Energy Secretary Ed Miliband (19%), and former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner (18%). Restore Britain leader and US President Donald Trump both had identical favourability ratings of 16%.
When asked about key issues for the next election, healthcare topped the list at 58%, followed by inflation and cost of living (55%) and immigration (50%). The polling also highlights public sentiment on Brexit as the 10th anniversary of the referendum approaches: fewer than one in five (19%) believe it has had a positive impact, while 55% view leaving the EU as negative for the country.
There is widespread pessimism about the nation's direction under Labour. Nearly two-thirds (64%) say it is heading in the wrong direction, with only 13% believing it is on track for a better future. Latest YouGov polling shows 24% would vote Reform UK if an election were held tomorrow, surpassing Labour and the Conservatives (both 19%), the Greens (15%), the Lib Dems (13%), and Restore Britain (4%).
Gideon Skinner of Ipsos noted that Mr Burnham "still needs to demonstrate he can persuade those currently sitting on the fence about him that he would offer a better alternative."
