Sir Keir Starmer’s ratings have plunged to the same low level as Jeremy Corbyn’s at the same stage of his leadership, reveals an exclusive poll.
The Ipsos MORI research also revealed that Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is seen by the public and by Labour’s own supporters as a better potential Prime Minister than Sir Keir. London mayor Sadiq Khan also trails behind Burnham as a would-be PM.
The findings, which will set alarm bells ringing in Labour circles, show Sir Keir’s ratings have fallen sharply, including scores for being “a capable leader” and for “having sound judgment”.
They will jangle nerves in the Opposition at a time the Conservatives are enjoying a nine-point lead on a wave of vaccine-induced optimism, and suggest that Boris Johnson’s taunts that Sir Keir is a “vacillator” are inflicting damage on his rival. The poll reveals:
Barely a quarter of the public – 24 per cent – think Sir Keir “has what it takes to be a good Prime Minister”, which is 13 points behind Mr Burnham, who is seen to have the X-factor by 37 per cent.
Among Labour supporters, less than half, or 48 per cent, think Sir Keir has what it takes. But 59 per cent of Labour supporters think Mr Burnham has it.
Half the public think Labour should change its leader before the next general election. Strikingly, 48 per cent of Labour supporters say they agree.
Just 22 per cent of the public are satisfied with Labour’s leader, which is down 14 points since April. A majority of 51 per cent say they are dissatisfied with him, up five points. The net score of -29 is identical to that of Mr Corbyn 14 months into his disastrous leadership.
Woundingly, almost half of Labour supporters – 47 per cent – say they are dissatisfied with Mr Starmer, while just 39 per cent are satisfied.
Sir Keir’s score for being a capable leader has plummeted 18 points since September to just 26 per cent. He suffered 17-point falls for “having sound judgment” and “being a good representative on the world stage”, down to 26 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.
Starmer’s scores contrast with Boris Johnson’s healthier figures, which include 78 per cent satisfaction in him among Conservative supporters. Only 40 per cent of the public think the Tories should change leader before the next election, and just 22 per cent of Conservatives. He scored 40 per cent for being a capable leader, leading Starmer by 14 points; and 35 per cent for being “good in a crisis”, leading Starmer by 17.
Sir Keir beats Mr Johnson for honesty (by 29 per cent to 22) but the Tory leader is ahead for patriotism (60 versus 38), for having lots of personality (61 to 16). Mr Johnson is seen as more out of touch (by 56 to 41 per cent).
Mr Burnham’s high score as a potential PM puts him ahead of senior Labour rivals tested. Deputy leader Angela Rayner is seen as having the right stuff by just 18 per cent. Shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy scored just 15 per cent. Both women attracted a high proportion of “don’t knows”, indicating they are not yet well enough known.
Mayor of London Mr Khan was seen as having what it takes by 29 per cent of the public – while 43 per cent disagreed. Among Labour supporters, some 46 per cent thought Mr Khan has it.
Ipsos MORI has kept monthly satisfaction scores on every major party leader since the 1970s and regularly tracks how top politicians are viewed on a range of leadership characteristics.
Sir Keir’s satisfaction score of -29 is also comparable with the -27 recorded by Iain Duncan Smith and -26 by Michael Howard when they were 14 months into their leaderships. Mr Corbyn, who quit after a disastrous wipe-out in 2019, plunged as low as -60 in subsequent years.
