Whilst Boris Shines on the World Stage, Labour Licks its Wounds

As Boris Johnson this weekend basks in the glory of parading on the international stage as he hosts the G7 in Cornwall, Labour would be forgiven for feeling sick as a parrot as it is forced to be reminded of its inability to do anything as the Prime Minister sites down with world leaders.

That feeling is unlikely to have been helped by Ipsos Mori’s Political Monitor published this week. Based on a poll undertaken of 1,002 adults in Britain between 28th May and 3rd June, on headline voting intentions, the Conservatives have a nine-point lead, with them on 44% compared to Labour on 35%.

Just 22% of respondents said that they were satisfied with the job that Keir Starmer was doing as Leader of the Labour Party, with 51% being dissatisfied. To put that into context, his net approval rating of -29 is, according to Ipsos Mori, the lowest rating he has had since becoming leader. Ipsos Mori note also that Starmer’s rating is “the same as the one Jeremy Corbyn received 14 months into his time as Labour leader.”  It continues: “However, Corbyn would later fall as low as -60 later in his leadership. Starmer’s ratings are also similar to those received by Iain Duncan-Smith (-27) and Michael Howard (-26) at equivalent times in their leaderships.” Among Labour supporters, 47% are dissatisfied with Keir Starmer, compared to 39% who are satisfied.

Boris Johnson meanwhile has a net satisfaction rating of -3, with 44% being satisfied with the job he is doing compared to 47% saying they are dissatisfied.  Among Conservative supporters, just 15% are dissatisfied with the job the Prime Minister is doing compared to 78% who are satisfied.

When looking at the characteristics of the two leaders, Ipsos Mori notes: “Starmer has suffered an 18 point fall in those thinking he is ‘a capable leader’ (now just 26%) and 17 point falls in him being seen as ‘having sound judgement’ (now 26%) and ‘being a good representative for Britain on the world stage’ (now 25%).

“Johnson’s ratings on the other hand are more stable and he leads Starmer on a number of measures including ‘capable leader’ (40%, leading Starmer by +14 pts), ‘good in a crisis’ (35%, +17 pts lead), ‘gives me confidence for Britain’s future’ (34%, +19 pts lead) and ‘patriotic’ (60%, +22 pts lead). Johnson floors Starmer on ‘having a lot of personality’ too (61%, +45 pts lead) although he is also more likely to be seen as ‘out of touch’ (56%, +15 pts lead) and ‘more style than substance’ (41%, +13 pts lead).”

It continues: “45% agree Johnson ‘has what it takes to be a good PM’ (+2 pts since March). 43% disagree (-2). Just 24% agree Starmer ‘has what it takes to be a good PM’ (-6 pts from March). 48% disagree (+13).” Keir Starmer will be especially concerned that more of those polled (59%) believe the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has what it takes to be Prime Minister.

The poll goes on to observe that 50% think Labour should change its leader before the next election with 26% disagreeing. 40% say the same about the Conservative Party. 39% disagree.

Ipsos MORI Director of Politics Keiran Pedley has said of the polling: “These numbers lay bare just how far Keir Starmer’s poll ratings have fallen. From opening with the best satisfaction ratings for a Leader of the Opposition since Blair last June his numbers are now as bad as Jeremy Corbyn’s at the same point in his leadership. What we don’t know is whether Starmer’s numbers will continue to fall, as they did for Corbyn, or if the Labour leader will manage to rebound all the way to Number 10 in a similar fashion to how David Cameron once did.”

Savanta ComRes has also published its latest polling giving the Conservatives a 12 point lead. The survey, carried out between 4th and 6th June puts the Conservatives on 44%, up 2 points since its last poll carried out between 28th and 30th May. Labour are on 32%, unchanged since the end of May.

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