Starmer Faces Unprecedented Fall in Approval as PM Before Key Budget

[Social Media]

 

Sir Keir Starmer has experienced a dramatic drop in popularity since his initial surge following Labour's landslide victory, marking the steepest fall for any prime minister in the modern era after an election win. Starmer’s approval rating had soared to plus 11 in July, shortly after Labour’s historic victory with a 174-seat majority – the largest in over two decades.

 

 

However, recent polling by More in Common indicates that his approval rating has plummeted to -38, resulting in a staggering net decline of 49 points. This puts him below the approval rating of his predecessor, Rishi Sunak, whose rating has marginally improved to -31 from -37, even after losing the election.

 

By contrast, Sir Tony Blair, who won a comparable landslide victory in 1997, retained a positive approval rating of plus 46 three months after his win, only seeing it dip into the negative in mid-2000. Similarly, David Cameron maintained a positive rating after the 2010 election when he entered into a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats, only seeing a significant drop to below -30 with the controversial “omnishambles” Budget of April 2012. Boris Johnson, after his 2019 election victory, began with a lower rating of -20 but managed to boost it to plus 14 by March the following year.

 

 

Luke Tryl, executive director of More in Common, described Starmer's drop as “unprecedented,” noting that, unlike previous leaders, Starmer’s government lacks a buffer of goodwill, making it vulnerable to rapid shifts in public sentiment. Tryl pointed to a more volatile electorate, which he believes has become less forgiving in recent decades. “Although they had a landslide, in terms of popularity they didn’t have the slack to spare that other new governments had,” he commented.

 

Two particular issues appear to have negatively impacted public perception of Starmer’s government. The first is the decision regarding the winter fuel allowance, a significant concern during a time of rising energy costs. The second is the controversy surrounding the early release of prisoners, which has sparked public outcry over security concerns. Tryl noted that when survey respondents were asked what stood out about the new government, “by a country mile it is the decision on the winter fuel allowance and the early release of prisoners.”

 

Additionally, ethical controversies have further complicated Starmer’s approval trajectory. Recent scrutiny has focused on alleged “freebies” received by government ministers, along with controversy over donations from Labour donor Lord Alli, whose gifts to prominent Labour figures, including Starmer, have raised questions.

 

Other polling conducted by More in Common reveals that, in the eyes of the public, Starmer’s administration does not stand out as a significant departure from the previous government. Nearly 69 percent of those surveyed indicated that his government “felt more like the same” compared to Sunak’s, with only a slim minority seeing it as a genuine change. Moreover, the survey showed a prevailing pessimism among the public: 66 percent felt that the country’s trajectory was worsening, while just nine percent saw improvement and 21 percent felt things were largely unchanged.

 

In terms of party support, the More in Common poll has Labour and the Conservatives tied at 27 percent, with Reform UK at 21 percent and the Liberal Democrats trailing at 13 percent. As Rachel Reeves prepares to present her Budget on Wednesday, Starmer faces a challenging political landscape marked by both slipping approval and competition from opposition parties, which could complicate his efforts to regain public confidence.

 

Based on a report by the Daily Telegraph 2024-10-30

 

 

 

[jippytum]

it is shocking to see a prime minister mired in sleaze and deception only days after winning an election.  

He asked to be judged on his election manifesto.

Well he is and that is why his betrayal and sleaze make him the most unpopular politician in decades. 

[Thingamabob]

Too late for Brits to fret about this. We voted him in, for the next 4/5 years, with a huge majority. 

[thaibeachlovers]

Surprise, surprise, surprise, NOT.

[Chomper Higgot]

The Telegraph are obviously not looking forward to the budget.

 

News of a 6.7% increase in the minimum wage is perhaps an indication that this Government has pivoted away from a sector of society The Telegraph feels is the rightful recipient of Government care and attention, or at least not the care and attention The Telegraph wishes to see.

 

Tomorrow we’ll have an opportunity to talk about actual Government policies rather than opinions The Telegraph itself plays a party in manipulating.

[deadbeat]

Why a multi millionaire needs other people to buy his clothes and glasses is truly eye opening.

Just another sleazy politician on the make.

[koolkarl]

And what are his qualifications to run a country?

[JonnyF]

Starmer has been worse than anyone could have imagined. Even me, and I had very low expectations. 

 

A truly horrible human being. Couldn't lie straight in bed.  

[Watawattana]

 

8 hours ago, Social Media said:

Based on a report by the Daily Telegraph 2024-10-30

 

I don't care about his approval rating, it means nothing to me.  The "Daily Telegraph" is often known as the "Torygraph" in the UK.  Not exactly the most balanced editorial content, but in this case well done to them for highlighting this issue as it's an absolute scandal.

 

Personally, I don't mind them scrapping this universal payment, far too many rich people getting it.  But, this was ill-thought out, lacking in consideration for how difficult many people find filling out Government forms, especially the online ones.  It would have been far better to fund a charity for 3 months to help every over-60 to fill in the forms, so that as many as possible could escape the trap of having to choose between eating or heating this winter.

[BangkokReady]

Hardly surprising.  Labour is meant to be the party of the common man, and I think people thought it would be a good alternative to the Tories (which it probably still is), but Starmer is coming out with a lot of woke nonsense and seems to be targeting White men.

[Seppius]

I can't stand to look at Starmer, Raynor or Reeves now, I did not feel like the before the election, in interviews all three of them can't answer a direct question

 

Going to watch the budget, even though I live here in Thailand It's certain to affect my UK interests

 

At the moment the Pound is 43.83, be interesting what it is at 3pm UK time

 

Our fate is in the hands of a chancellor who had her credit card suspended

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/britain-hands-chancellor-credit-card-suspended/

[herfiehandbag]

10 hours ago, koolkarl said:

And what are his qualifications to run a country?

Several good suits and a new pair of specs...

[johng]

11 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Too late for Brits to fret about this. We voted him in, for the next 4/5 years, with a huge majority. 

Yes  they did but I'm baffled as to why they voted for this lot and not someone/thing "completely different"  also the fact that reform got lots of votes but not  lots of seats in parliament  should be a wake up call ...but won't be  they will continue to vote for the 'Uniparty"  and wonder why they are still under "austerity"  "banker bailouts" and asked to "accept short-term pain for long-term good"  !!!!!   yeah since at least 2008..short term