The Conservatives have narrowed the gap with Labour in their best polling performance since the 2024 general election, following John Healey's first Budget.
Almost a quarter of voters (24%) would now back the Tories, a 2% rise from the previous week. Labour dropped one point to 26%, according to a YouGov poll. Labour's support remains well above the 19% it had fallen to in the week before Andy Burnham took office.
Poll boost amid election speculation
The poll boost for the Tories comes as rumours of an early general election continue to circulate around Westminster. Tory sources have previously said that Kemi Badenoch has put her party on a "war footing" ahead of a possible early vote.
Burnham has attempted to quell rumours of an imminent election by insisting he will not call one within the next year. The next general election must be called by August 2029.
Reform UK and public reaction to Budget
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said he thinks there could be a general election in May. His party is on 21% in the YouGov poll for The Times, a point up from one of their polls last week and its lowest number since the general election.
Burnham's first Budget was seen as a flop by the public, who viewed it as "tinkering" and do not believe it will help with the cost of living, cut their energy bills or provide enough funding for defence.
Voters believe the Prime Minister is focusing on what is popular rather than what is right for the country. That verdict on last week's Budget was delivered in a poll by More in Common released on Monday.
